How Mentorship Shapes Leadership at Extra Space Storage

January is National Mentoring Month, and at Extra Space Storage, we're celebrating the mentors and mentees who make our leadership development programs so impactful. Through our Leadership Development Program (LDP) and Executive Development Program (EDP), we pair high-potential employees with experienced leaders who guide them as they grow into their next roles.

We reached out to Extra Space leaders who went through these programs in 2025 and asked them to share their experiences. Their responses reflect something special about our culture.

"When an organization places such emphasis on these programs, it shows that we truly live our core values through and through," shared Cary Weiss, District Manager and 2025 LDP participant.

Below, participants share their mentorship experiences and the impact these relationships have had on their careers.

Building Confidence & Self-Awareness

For many participants, the mentorship experience revealed strengths they hadn't fully recognized in themselves—and helped them address blind spots holding them back.

"One pivotal moment for me was when I began questioning whether I truly belonged in the Leadership Development Program and whether I was ready for growth or even excelling. In a conversation with my mentor, she helped me see strengths and leadership qualities in myself that I hadn't fully recognized. She shared that I already demonstrate many of the qualities needed to be a Division Vice President, which significantly shifted my confidence and how I view my potential as a leader." — Tammika Hernandez, Division Vice President

"What surprised me the most was the ease of conversations with my mentor and how quickly I became comfortable. I went into the mentorship feeling a little nervous, wanting to make sure I asked good questions and made it worth their time. From the first call, my mentor made the experience a fun and safe place to discuss what I was learning, helped me figure out how to navigate conversations, and helped me express what I needed. I learned not to be afraid to reach out and ask the questions on my mind—don't worry so much about what people are going to think of your question—people genuinely want to help." — Julie Motto, Sr. Division Learning Manager

"My mentor was Karen Pierce, Division Vice President in Chicago. I tend to micromanage more than I should. I learned a lot about that from Karen, especially from observing how she acknowledges and trusts her team. It helped me see my own work from an outside perspective and realize that, in some scenarios, even though I felt I wasn't micromanaging, I actually was." — Cary Weiss, District Manager

"I've gained a new perspective on looking at some of my challenges and blindspots. My mentor has been great about listening to my analysis of situations and then helping me see things in a different light or suggesting alternative approaches. Sometimes in accounting, we get so used to framing things in familiar contexts that it's difficult to see things any other way. Thanks to my mentor, I feel I have new tools to reframe my view of challenges, whether it's meaningful interactions with my immediate team or planning a development workshop for the larger accounting team." — Brian Whipple, Sr. Manager of Accounting

Developing Strategic Thinking

Stepping into leadership means shifting from day-to-day execution to big-picture strategy. Mentors helped participants make that transition.

"My mentor was Grace Kunde, our Chief Accounting Officer. She helped me take a more strategic mindset. In my current role, there's a significant amount of tactical decision-making and hands-on work with my team. My mentor helped me think about the business from a more strategic lens, where I was exposed to higher-level thinking. I was able to participate in areas and decisions that impacted the entire business, and I was also able to look deeper into our industry as a whole, not just the areas that impact us here at Extra Space." — George Bishop, Sr. District Manager

"Rasheed Peoples was my mentor, and though I initially knew little about him beyond his role as Senior Vice President of Operations, he was instrumental in shaping my professional growth. He pushed me to clearly articulate why I was pursuing an action, what the intended goal was, and whether it truly added value. Through this, he taught me to be far more intentional and disciplined in my decision-making. He taught me not simply to create action for its own sake, but to ensure that every action taken was necessary, purposeful, and tied to meaningful value. He also had an amazing ability to connect with everyone we visited with—VPs, District Managers, and the Store team alike." — Alice DiPiero, Sr. District Manager

"A conversation that stands out is when my mentor challenged me to rethink how I lead. They reminded me that at the next level, it's easy to fall into the trap of becoming a 'Super District Manager,' but trying to do the work of multiple District Managers is neither realistic nor effective. Instead, true leadership means investing in the leader and using strategy, clear communication, and consistent follow-up to help them adapt and achieve the best results." — Brian Kim, Division Vice President

Strengthening Relationships & Communication

A consistent theme across participants was that leadership at Extra Space is relational, not transactional. Mentors modeled how to build trust and connection at every level.

"LDP mentorship reinforced the perspective that, regardless of the department we work in, our business is about relationships. Extra Space views our roles as relational rather than transactional. The transactional mindset is short-term, one-time exchanges focused on price, speed, and efficiency. The relational mindset builds trust, credibility, long-term value, and loyalty. This is what makes Extra Space such an amazing place to work and keeps our customers and partners coming back." — Mark Lehner, Sr. District Manager

"I learned a lot about the inner workings of the Salt Lake Support Center. My mentor shared great tips on how to better communicate with other departments that I might not have interacted with before joining the program. It has proven valuable as I continue building relationships at Extra Space." — Ed Donaghy, Vice President of Facility Services

"My mentor's investment in people is something he is known for and was a valuable perspective for me. He doesn't just reach out on birthdays, work anniversaries, or holidays. He is someone who consistently checks in and continues to build upon established relationships." — Brian Kim, Division Vice President

"My mentorship from Scott Stubbs, our former Chief Financial Officer, reinforced the values and personal connections that are important in our company. I got to know Scott just as much as a person as I did a leader, and this was a very nice surprise. It was especially nice to form this relationship just before his retirement after 25 years at the company." — Myles Sigman, Division Vice President

Navigating Challenges Together

When difficult situations arose, mentors provided guidance, perspective, and a steady hand—demonstrating what it means to show up for your people.

"I worked with my mentor for guidance during a challenging time with a manager. Their thoughtful advice on conversation topics, the right questions to ask, and strategies for navigating the situation gave me clarity and confidence. Their support not only helped me manage the immediate challenge but also strengthened my ability to communicate effectively in the future. I really appreciate his patience and understanding as he helped me through this situation." — Kurt Brey, Director of Disaster Reconstruction & Facilities Management

"I was fortunate to have Brian Whitham, Division Vice President, as my mentor during LDP. One of many moments that stood out was when I reached out to him for assistance while I was facing a challenge working on a new report I was introduced to. He didn't hesitate to take my call and jump on Teams. Despite having a broken laptop, he took time out of his busy schedule to guide me through my thought process and clarify the steps involved. This experience, along with the mentorship provided throughout the program, truly exemplifies what our company culture is all about!" — Jovana Parenta, Sr. District Manager

Practical Leadership Skills

Beyond big-picture growth, mentors shared practical approaches participants could immediately apply to their daily work.

"One experience that stood out to me was a conversation on decisions that were made in the past and how to really learn from them. As leaders, there are times when we have to make decisions, and the outcomes can differ from what we originally expected. It is so critical to take the time to learn from those instances so you can use that for future decisions." — George Bishop, Sr. District Manager

"Something that stood out from my mentor was his emphasis on both thorough preparation for store visits and the importance of stopping by properties unplanned to simply ask managers what they need. Observing how his District Managers prepared for visits taught me how to strengthen my own approach and arrive more intentional and focused. He also emphasized consistency by entering every site visit with the same core priorities and message—facility health, product management, and sales processes—ensuring that expectations and goals stayed aligned across the division." — Cara McVey, Sr. District Manager

"What an outstanding experience this has been for me! I have learned different ways to remove roadblocks more efficiently for myself and my team, which has improved how I support them. I feel more comfortable identifying and working on my blind spots, expanding my network, and, more importantly, taking more time for my team. Overall, this has allowed me to grow both professionally and personally." — Raul Perez, District Manager

"When traveling to sites with my mentor and her team, she always asked for feedback regarding every situation. I have used this approach, and it has been very beneficial for gaining team buy-in." — Cary Weiss, District Manager

A Culture of Investment

What stands out most across these experiences is the genuine investment from both mentors and the organization.

"Participating in LDP in 2024 and EDP in 2025 were both great experiences. What I appreciated most was the company's investment in us and its prioritization of mentorship. I truly felt that the experience was as important to the mentors as it was to me." — Brian Kim, Division Vice President

"The mentorship program truly sets Extra Space apart from other large organizations. I have rarely seen senior executives invest this level of time, energy, and commitment in developing leaders. I hope this program continues and remains a priority as the company grows and evolves." — Alice DiPiero, Sr. District Manager

"The continued collaboration was something I did not expect. My mentor was just as invested in my success as I was. He continues to reach out, and he has urged me to do the same with any questions or challenges that come up." — Cara McVey, Sr. District Manager

This National Mentoring Month, we're grateful for every mentor and mentee who makes these programs meaningful, and for a culture that recognizes leadership development as a shared journey.

Interested in a career with Extra Space Storage? Visit our careers page to learn more about our company culture and job openings.