MEET OUR 2026 IGNITERS

Tom Bachmann

Professional Speaker

For the last 25 years, Tom has been teaching leadership, management, and corporate culture transformation skills to leaders from around the country, Europe and India. He also specializes in preparing senior leaders with their presentation skills, focusing on their leadership presence and ability to communicate powerfully and professionally. He is a former United States naval officer serving 8 years as a nuclear engineer and training professional. After the Navy, he spent 3 years in sales with a financial consulting firm, followed by another 3 years training time management and project management for a company specializing in personal productivity. Tom received his B.S. in Aerospace Engineering from the U.S. Naval Academy, an M.S. (equivalent) in Nuclear Engineering from the Navy’s Nuclear Power School, and his M.A. in Management from National University in San Diego. Tom also spent 9 years as an Adjunct Professor for the Rochester Institute of Technology and Nazareth College for project management for their respective College of Business master’s programs.

Toni Blake

Owner, Totally Toni

Toni Blake is a popular industry keynote speaker and comedienne. Her enthusiastic presentation style is unique, with “laugh while you learn” education and comedy. After three decades of touring multifamily housing, she continues to be the premier choice. Toni Blake won top selection in the 2020 Multifamily Insiders Choice Award for her Wednesday Webinar. At the 2022 NAA in San Diego, CA, Toni was the featured comedienne to open for Jeff Foxworthy at the Top Gun Party aboard the USS Midway! In 2021 Toni began boldly touring the industry with her popular AmaZING Tour Bus, visiting 23 states in 135 days, traveling over 13,000 miles. The tour continues! Toni Blake’s research is published in many national industry publications, including Units Magazine. Her creative wisdom inspires thousands of industry professionals each year with innovative concepts in customer service, sales, and marketing. Toni’s infectious energy has built a social media following of over 36K, with .5M views of her Facebook LIVE videos, making her a sought-after guest on multifamily radio and podcasts. Toni is passionate about being an agent of positive change in our world and inspires people to be great human beings. Stay in touch with TotallyToni by following her in real-time on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram.

Russell Mack

Professor, TCU

Russell Mack, J.D. teaches Strategic Writing, Writing and Editing, Communication Law and PR Case Studies at Texas Christian University. Prior to teaching, Professor Mack spent more than 40 years as a PR and marketing executive. He was a legislative assistant and press secretary in the U.S. Congress, served in communication positions at two federal agencies, and was Special Assistant to President Reagan and Director of Public Affairs in the White House. He was Director of Public Affairs at American Airlines, VP of Communication at United Airlines and a senior VP at a major Dallas advertising agency. He was head of communication at Lyrick Studios and Executive VP for Communication at Mary Kay Inc. Professor Mack's expertise includes communication strategy, crisis communication, speechwriting and messaging.

Maria Pietroforte

Owner, Maria Pietroforte Consulting

When you grow up as a military brat with a professional dancer mom and expert marksman dad, you pick up a few things - like flexibility. Adaptability. Performance. Art. Attention to detail. Grit. These traits served Maria well as she moved throughout her childhood and into the multifamily industry. Maria got her first job as a leasing consultant in college and was immediately smitten with the business. After all, she was always drawn to people and change and challenging herself (I've looked fear right in the eyeballs a time or two!) to conquer what's next. Over time, Maria moved across the country from California to Virginia and back again, becoming a C-suite executive for great multifamily companies, marketing agencies, and dot-coms, earning a reputation as The Turnaround Queen for companies and teams. She became a consultant, leadership coach and speaker, sharing what she has learned over her 30-year career to help leaders, teams, properties, and companies thrive. Maria loves transforming work into places where people value each other, are connected to strategy, and get the job done to advance reputation and performance.

Anne Sadovsky

Professional Speaker

AAGD's own celebrity, Anne has been active in many apartment associations at national and state levels for five decades and is based in Dallas. She has been honored with Legends Awards from Multifamily Pro and the Apartment Association of Greater Dallas and is a former V P with Lincoln Property Company. She began her speaking and consulting career in 1981. Anne is a popular guest on radio and TV talk shows, is an editor and writer for many publications and is often quoted in articles about the development of people skills. She is a co-author of the book “Mission Possible” with Brian Tracy and Stephen Covey. She is an expert on Fair Housing and is a favorite speaker on developing people skills, the like-ability factor, sales and leasing, customer retention and service, and more. Anne’s success story has been featured in Money Magazine, Ladies Home Journal, and Texas Business. Mirabella Magazine named her one of the 1,000 women of the 90s.

Susan Weston

Principal, The Susan Weston Company

Sue has operated The Susan Weston Company since 2010 and consults and trains in the multifamily industry. Her industry career spans over 40 years in executive capacities in Operations, Human Resources and Learning and Development at both publicly traded and private companies. She is a Subject Matter Expert for the National Apartment Association Education Institute credential programs, a member of NAAEI Senior Faculty, a subject matter expert for private industry litigation, and a licensed Texas real estate broker. From 2012-2016, Susan taught residential property management programs in the School of Business at the University of North Texas. In April of 2016 she was invited and continues to serve on the National Council for the School of Business at Valparaiso University.