Melanie French

Melanie French is a respected multifamily executive with more than 30 years of experience spanning property operations, strategic planning, organizational development, human capital, and financial execution across all asset types. She has held senior leadership roles with Cortland, AIMCO, and DLP Capital.

As RR Living’s first Chief Executive Officer, Melanie oversees all strategic and operational functions, ensuring each owner’s business plan is executed with precision and integrity. Her leadership philosophy centers on sustainable growth through talent development—creating communities where more than 50,000 residents feel truly at home.

Melanie is an active member of the Forbes® Council, serves on the Multifamily Innovation® Council, and is the Treasurer of the National Board of Entryway. She is also a recognized keynote speaker, presenting at leading industry events such as the Multifamily Women® Summit and the Smart Spaces Conference, as well as IMN, NMHC, NAA, MFE, and Bisnow®.

Prior to joining RR Living, Melanie served as Managing Principal and President at DLP Capital, overseeing operations across more than 12,000 units. At Cortland, she grew the management platform from 9,000 to over 50,000 units while managing more than $200 million in renovations. Her 13-year tenure at AIMCO included roles from RVP to SVP of Learning & Organizational Development, supporting over 200,000 apartment homes nationwide.

She holds designations as an IREM® CPM, SPHR, and DDI® Master Trainer & Facilitator and is widely recognized as a thought leader in the multifamily industry.

Melanie began her career as a leasing consultant, where she discovered her passion for turning apartments into long-term homes. Known for her approachable, people-first leadership style, she is celebrated for mentoring future leaders and building high-performing teams.

Outside of work, Melanie enjoys reading, boating, and traveling. She values time spent with her grandchildren and shares life’s adventures with her husband of nearly 40 years, whose steadfast support has been a constant throughout her career.