Hi, I'm Liz Bapasola, Ed.D., Partner at Champion Investment Properties.
Where I started
For more than a decade, I worked in higher education. In three universities, I was always the inaugural person in my role, asking the same question I learned from Jim Collins: what would it take to make this go from good to great? I built teams, led complex operations, and earned my doctorate in Higher Education Leadership. Alongside that, I taught leadership, strengths psychology, and emotional intelligence, both in and out of the classroom, and aimed to put those theories into practice.
The pivot
Then in 2019, my division was restructured and I lost my job. Around the same time, Sam was facing downsizing at BlackRock and knew he needed to pivot too, and asked for my help.
Nine months later we sat down as a couple and set a five-year vision for our family. Champion Investment Properties, a commercial real estate investment business, was born.
Named after the manufacturing business Sam's grandfather founded over 40 years ago, Champion is a symbol of grit and perseverance. Sam leads acquisitions and analysis. I lead operations, systems, and relationships.
Finding my edge
The transition wasn't easy. With no background in finance or real estate, imposter syndrome hit hard, especially in a male-dominated industry. But I found my edge, leaning into what had always made me successful: seeing what's working, building better systems, and committing to small habits that compound.
Leading with intention
Leaning on the emotional intelligence, psychology, and leadership skills I once taught, my strengths now show up in reading a room during a hard meeting, finding clarity when hard decisions are needed, and staying steady when a deal gets hairy.
How you build a team, how you communicate under pressure, how you stay grounded in high-stakes situations, that matters as much as the numbers. It's what makes Champion different, and it's what I love most about this work, alongside working with Sam every day.
Underneath it all is something simple: a belief that all of us have strengths to contribute, and work can be a beautiful place to live that out every day.
Why I write
This site is my reflection space as I try to live with intention, an ethos I learned from Oprah, staying true to the integrity and meaning I spoke about in my 2011 TEDx Talk at Temple University. Watch it here →
On this blog I write about the mindset, habits, leadership, and psychology behind building Champion, and behind the struggle to live out those principles every day. Not the highlight reel. The real and authentic stuff that can give you access to your highest self and performance.
If you're navigating a big transition, building something of your own, or just seeking to live out your greatest gifts and purpose at work and at home, I hope something here resonates.
Never give up. Always be better.