Own your edge: Theresa Lapensée

Theresa Lapensée, founder and principal at ResidentOps Studio, shares her unique perspective on what it takes to build and sustain a successful career

London Inc. is proud to present its second annual look at area women making a transformational difference in their fields. Sharing their secrets for success, these 31 women are making a significant impact across various industries. Their stories are about resilience, creativity and the power of passion; they break barriers, shatter stereotypes and pave the way for future generations.

Theresa Lapensée
Founder and Principal
ResidentOps Studio
residentops.ca

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AFTER TWO DECADES in Ontario’s multi-residential sector, Theresa Lapensée kept hearing the same feedback: she approached every role like an owner. Eventually, she stopped asking why — and started building.

ResidentOps Studio emerged from years of owners, landlords and developers seeking Lapensée’s expertise to navigate operational complexity. Today, she transforms scattered processes into clear systems, aligns teams around measurable goals and translates strategy into performance that strengthens both asset value and resident experience.

“Much of what I’ve built hasn’t had a defined path,” Lapensée reflects. “I’ve learned that just because something hasn’t been done a certain way doesn’t mean it can’t be achieved. That shift — trusting my instincts, embracing both strength and empathy and moving forward without a blueprint — has been foundational to my growth.”

As a sole founder, she is deliberate about culture, rooting her work in purpose, creativity and genuine enjoyment. She stays sharp through industry associations, community engagement and consistent writing on rental housing trends. And her definition of success has evolved from titles and milestones to something more intentional: autonomy, meaningful work and life-work balance.

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Her advice to other women entrepreneurs? “Don’t let anyone tell you to tone down your personality, your ambition or your ideas,” she says. “Many women experience this at some point, and if you take it to heart, you risk losing the very thing that makes you unique — and that uniqueness is your edge in business and in life.”