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Our Team: Proven Leadership

Proven Leadership. National Expertise. Exceptional Execution.

Pierce Education Properties is led by a highly accomplished executive team with more than 100 years of combined experience in student housing, multifamily real estate, investment management, and university-related real estate operations. Throughout their careers, PEP's senior leadership has been involved in the development, acquisition, and management of more than 100,000 student housing beds across 100+ university markets in 40 states nationwide.

This extensive experience provides PEP with a distinct competitive advantage in identifying investment opportunities, navigating complex market conditions, repositioning assets, and executing strategies that maximize financial performance and long-term value.

Unlike traditional management platforms, PEP's executives maintain a direct, hands-on approach to asset performance, working closely with onsite teams through weekly operational meetings, property visits, financial reviews, and strategic oversight. Combined with sophisticated institutional reporting, disciplined financial management, and an ownership-driven mindset, PEP delivers the accountability, transparency, and operational excellence expected by sophisticated capital partners.

Our philosophy is simple: exceptional leadership drives exceptional performance, and every asset deserves the same commitment, financial discipline, and strategic attention as an investment of our own capital.


Jasmin Zelinko
President & COO

With more than 27 years of distinguished experience in multifamily real estate and over 17 years specializing in student housing, Jasmin Zelinko is a seasoned real estate executive recognized for her strategic vision, operational excellence, financial acumen, and proven ability to lead complex, geographically diverse real estate portfolios. As President and Chief Operating Officer of Pierce Education Properties (PEP), Jasmin provides executive leadership across the organization's investment, operational, and financial platforms, driving strategic growth, asset performance, and long-term value creation.

Jasmin's career is defined by an exceptional understanding of real estate from the ground up. Beginning as a leasing consultant, she advanced through virtually every level of property operations, gaining invaluable firsthand experience in leasing, property management, regional oversight, and executive leadership. Her extensive background encompasses conventional multifamily, affordable housing, Section 8, Section 42, and purpose-built student housing, providing her with a comprehensive perspective on the complexities of residential real estate ownership, investment, and management.

Joining Pierce Education Properties in 2018, Jasmin quickly distinguished herself through her ability to identify operational opportunities, strengthen underperforming assets, develop high-performing teams, and implement disciplined strategies that drive measurable financial results. Advancing from regional leadership to Vice President of Operations, she played an instrumental role in strengthening the company's operating platform, elevating portfolio performance, and establishing the accountability and operational standards essential to successful real estate investment.

In 2023, Jasmin expanded her national leadership experience as Senior Vice President of Operations at Yugo, one of the industry's prominent student housing operators. In this capacity, she oversaw 46 student housing assets nationwide and a workforce of approximately 500 employees, directing large-scale operations, leasing performance, financial execution, and organizational strategy across multiple markets.

In April 2025, Jasmin returned to Pierce Education Properties as Chief Operating Officer and subsequently advanced to President and Chief Operating Officer, assuming responsibility for the company's overall business operations, strategic direction, and investment execution. Today, she leads PEP's national platform, overseeing property operations, acquisitions and dispositions, asset performance, financial planning, accounting, leasing and marketing, human resources, investor relations, lender relationships, and corporate strategy.

Her leadership extends far beyond traditional property management. Jasmin is actively involved in evaluating investment opportunities, directing acquisition due diligence, developing asset-level business plans, analyzing financial performance, navigating complex ownership structures, and executing strategies designed to maximize investment returns. From identifying opportunities in underperforming assets to implementing operational repositioning initiatives, she brings an investor-focused perspective to every stage of the real estate investment lifecycle.

A defining strength of Jasmin's leadership is her ability to connect institutional-level investment objectives with real-world operational execution. She understands that successful real estate investments are built not only on sound underwriting and capital structures, but also on disciplined management, market intelligence, strategic leasing, expense control, and consistent execution at the property level. Her ability to bridge these disciplines allows her to identify opportunities, mitigate risk, strengthen net operating income, and position assets for sustainable long-term performance.

Throughout her career, Jasmin has successfully navigated changing market conditions, operational turnarounds, organizational transformations, and complex real estate challenges. She is known for her decisive leadership, hands-on approach, financial discipline, and unwavering commitment to accountability. Whether guiding a property through stabilization, repositioning an asset, evaluating a new investment, or managing relationships with sophisticated capital partners, she brings the same relentless focus on performance, transparency, and results.

Equally important to her success is her ability to build and inspire exceptional teams. Jasmin believes that operational excellence begins with strong leadership, clear expectations, and a culture of ownership and accountability. Her approach combines strategic oversight with a deep understanding of the people and processes that ultimately drive financial success.

Her professional accomplishments and influence have also earned recognition beyond the real estate industry. In 2026, Jasmin was recognized by Modern Luxury San Diego as a Power Player and was subsequently named among the publication's Icons of San Diego, honoring her executive leadership, professional achievements, and impact on the business community.

Jasmin studied Business Management with a minor in Hospitality, complementing her extensive practical experience with a foundation in organizational leadership, business strategy, and customer experience.

Today, Jasmin continues to lead Pierce Education Properties with a clear vision: to build a disciplined, performance-driven real estate investment and operating platform that delivers exceptional execution, strong financial stewardship, and lasting value for investors and ownership partners. Her combination of institutional-scale operating experience, entrepreneurial leadership, investment expertise, and firsthand knowledge of the student housing sector positions her as a trusted executive and strategic partner in an increasingly sophisticated real estate investment landscape.


George Nunez
Controller

With more than 18 years of experience in accounting, finance, and business operations, George Nunez brings a powerful combination of financial expertise, operational insight, and strategic leadership to Pierce Education Properties (PEP). His extensive background spans multifamily and student housing real estate, public accounting, financial management, and corporate operations, providing him with a comprehensive understanding of the financial complexities associated with real estate investment, ownership, and property management.

As Controller of Pierce Education Properties, George plays an integral role in the company's financial leadership, overseeing accounting operations, financial reporting, cash flow management, budgeting, and internal controls across a geographically diverse real estate portfolio. Working in close collaboration with executive leadership, property operations, and external financial partners, he helps ensure the accuracy, transparency, and integrity of the financial information that drives critical business and investment decisions.

George's expertise extends well beyond traditional accounting functions. He brings a disciplined, forward-thinking approach to financial management, with a strong emphasis on operational efficiency, financial accountability, risk mitigation, and process optimization. His responsibilities encompass financial statement preparation and analysis, month-end and year-end reporting, cash flow oversight, fixed asset accounting, financial policy development, and coordination of external audits and tax compliance. Through his leadership, he supports the financial infrastructure necessary to manage complex real estate operations while maintaining the reporting standards and fiscal discipline expected by ownership groups, lenders, and institutional capital partners.

Prior to joining PEP, George served as Controller for a multifamily property management organization in Washington, where he directed financial operations for a portfolio exceeding 700 residential units at its peak. In this capacity, he oversaw full-cycle accounting across multiple property entities, including accounts payable and receivable, payroll, investor reporting, financial statement preparation, and asset-level financial management. His close collaboration with property owners, investors, and operational teams strengthened financial transparency, enhanced reporting processes, and supported effective portfolio oversight.

George began his professional accounting career in public accounting in Iowa, where he provided comprehensive accounting, financial management, and controller-level advisory services to businesses across multiple industries, including manufacturing and construction. This experience established a strong technical foundation in financial reporting, tax and payroll compliance, internal controls, and financial process improvement, while developing his ability to navigate complex financial structures and deliver practical, results-driven solutions.

What distinguishes George is his ability to bridge the gap between financial reporting and real estate operations. He understands that successful asset performance requires more than accurate financial statements; it demands financial discipline, proactive oversight, reliable reporting, and a clear understanding of how operational decisions influence investment performance. His collaborative leadership style and solutions-oriented mindset make him a valuable partner to executive leadership and an important contributor to PEP's commitment to operational excellence, financial transparency, and long-term value creation.

George earned his Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Upper Iowa University, graduating Cum Laude, and is bilingual in English and Spanish.

With his depth of financial expertise, hands-on real estate experience, and commitment to accountability, George plays a key role in supporting Pierce Education Properties' financial strength, operational effectiveness, and ability to execute sophisticated real estate investment and management strategies nationwide.


Brianna Niemeier
Portfolio Leasing & Marketing

Brianna attended the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, where she studied Psychology, before beginning her career with Pierce Education Properties in 2020 as a Leasing Professional in Michigan. From the start, she distinguished herself with an exceptional ability to connect with students and parents, ultimately leasing more than 2,500 beds in a highly competitive market. Her early success became the foundation for her growth within PEP and propelled her into her current leadership role.

Today, Brianna is the powerhouse behind leasing and marketing strategy across PEP’s national portfolio. She is the go-to resource for Leasing and Marketing Directors, providing training, guidance, and day-to-day support that empowers onsite teams to reach and exceed their goals. Brianna orchestrates the entire leasing cycle—developing and monitoring monthly, quarterly, and annual plans, ensuring accountability at every level, and quickly pivoting strategies to capture opportunities and stay ahead of market shifts.

Her expertise extends beyond planning into execution. Brianna oversees all digital marketing, advertising, and reputation management initiatives, blending data-driven decisions with her creative instincts. Whether it’s crafting a targeted campaign, analyzing performance metrics, or brainstorming fresh ideas, Brianna brings energy, insight, and innovation to every project. Under her leadership, PEP’s marketing presence has become stronger, sharper, and more impactful than ever.

Outside of her professional achievements, Brianna is also a gifted artist who loves to draw. Her creativity often finds its way into PEP’s branding and campaigns, where her unique perspective adds a memorable edge. When she isn’t shaping the future of leasing and marketing or developing the next big idea, she enjoys relaxing with her German Shepherd, Max



 
 
 
 

Pierce Education Properties, L.P.
2173 Salk Avenue, Suite 250, Carlsbad, CA 92008
+1 619.297.0400