Bell Partners Names Sarah Young CFO, Succeeding Retiring John Tomlinson
Bell Partners, one of the nation’s largest and most respected apartment investment and management companies, has officially announced a significant leadership transition in its executive team. Sarah C. Young has been appointed to take over as Chief Financial Officer (CFO), succeeding longtime executive John Tomlinson, who will retire from the role effective August 22, 2025. Ms. Young officially joined the company on July 15, 2025, and will immediately begin working closely with Mr. Tomlinson to ensure a seamless leadership handoff.
Ms. Young will report directly to Lili Dunn, President and Chief Executive Officer of Bell Partners. After stepping down as CFO, Mr. Tomlinson will remain with the company as a senior advisor through the end of 2025, supporting the executive team and contributing to a smooth transition of responsibilities.
Honoring a Legacy of Leadership: John Tomlinson’s 16-Year Tenure
John Tomlinson’s retirement marks the conclusion of an exceptional chapter in Bell Partners’ corporate history. Over the past 16 years, Mr. Tomlinson has played a pivotal role in the company’s evolution from a regional operator into a nationally recognized leader in the multifamily housing industry. During his tenure, he helped lay the foundation for Bell’s robust and scalable financial infrastructure while upholding the company’s commitment to prudent risk management and investor confidence.
“John has been instrumental in the growth of Bell Partners, and we are grateful for his contributions to our culture and results,” said Lili Dunn. “He helped build a strong corporate foundation, deepened our relationships with global investors and financial institutions, and instilled financial discipline that has sustained the company through periods of both growth and uncertainty.”
One of Mr. Tomlinson’s lasting legacies is the depth of talent he has cultivated within the organization. Under his leadership, Bell’s finance and operations teams have become known for their professionalism, agility, and collaborative spirit. His ability to balance financial prudence with strategic vision helped the company expand its portfolio while navigating a constantly evolving economic landscape.
With a firm focus on governance, capital discipline, and risk mitigation, Mr. Tomlinson guided Bell Partners through multiple economic cycles, ensuring that the company remained resilient, well-capitalized, and strategically aligned with long-term investor goals.
“We wish John tremendous happiness and success as he embarks on his next chapter,” added Dunn. “His influence will continue to be felt across the company, and we’re fortunate that he’ll remain available to advise us during the transition.”
A New Chapter Begins: Sarah C. Young Joins as CFO
As Bell Partners looks to the future, the appointment of Sarah Young signals the company’s continued focus on strategic financial leadership and long-term growth. Ms. Young brings with her an impressive track record of financial and operational leadership in the real estate investment and development sector.
Prior to joining Bell Partners, Ms. Young held the role of Chief Financial Officer and Senior Managing Director at Quarterra Group, a subsidiary of Lennar Corporation—one of the nation’s leading homebuilders. During her 10-year tenure at Quarterra, Ms. Young was responsible for managing financial operations, strategic planning, capital markets engagement, and risk oversight across a diverse set of real estate platforms, including multifamily development, single-family rentals, and land finance.
As a member of Quarterra’s Investment Committee, she played a hands-on role in the company’s high-level financial decision-making and investment strategy. Her contributions helped drive consistent performance across various market conditions and asset classes.
Before her time at Quarterra, Ms. Young gained valuable experience at Walton Street Capital, where she managed equity commitments across several institutional funds, sharpening her expertise in fund management and investor relations. Earlier in her career, she worked at Ernst & Young LLP, one of the “Big Four” accounting firms, where she developed a strong foundation in auditing, accounting, and compliance.
Ms. Young holds both a Master of Accounting and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, a testament to her strong academic and technical grounding in financial management and economic analysis.
Driving Strategic Growth and Financial Excellence
In her new role at Bell Partners, Ms. Young will lead the company’s financial strategy and oversee several mission-critical functions. These include accounting, corporate finance, tax, financial planning and analysis, legal affairs, compliance, and enterprise risk management. She will also serve on Bell Partners’ Executive and Investment Committees, where she will work closely with other senior leaders to shape business strategy, evaluate investment opportunities, and uphold governance standards.
“Sarah Young comes to us with a wealth of experience guiding real estate investment decisions and fund management strategies in increasingly complicated financial arenas,” said Ms. Dunn. “Her impressive background and deep understanding of risk management, capital markets, and governance practices will help Bell Partners achieve our long-term objectives and position us for continued success in the years ahead.”
Ms. Young’s appointment comes at a time of significant opportunity for Bell Partners. With a national portfolio spanning multiple markets, the company continues to expand its presence in high-growth regions, leveraging data-driven investment strategies and a resident-first approach to property management. Ms. Young is expected to play a key role in strengthening Bell’s capital structure, deepening its relationships with institutional partners, and helping the company navigate the complexities of today’s capital and real estate markets.
Commitment to Stability and Long-Term Vision
The leadership transition is a reflection of Bell Partners’ commitment to both stability and innovation. The seamless onboarding of Ms. Young, alongside Mr. Tomlinson’s advisory support through the end of the year, reflects the company’s focus on succession planning and business continuity.
This thoughtful approach ensures that the company remains well-positioned to execute its strategic priorities—including sustainable growth, operational efficiency, and enhanced value creation for investors and residents alike.
As Bell Partners continues to navigate a dynamic and evolving real estate environment, the company’s leadership is confident that Ms. Young’s financial stewardship will be instrumental in maintaining the company’s competitive edge and driving it forward into the next phase of its growth journey.
