March 2023

across multiple fields. The one thing that has not changed, and I’d really like to see it happen with this generation of managers, is that community managers are perceived as the trusted professional advisors to the community, on par with the association’s accountant, engineer, and attorney. Things aren’t important. God, my family, and living a life with purpose and fulfillment are important to me. Lauren Vadenais, EBP: I’m sure my story is like so many in our industry. I didn’t find the industry, the industry found me. I started my career as a leasing consultant for a luxury apartment community right out of college. After a few years, I knew I wanted a change and accepted a sales position for a restoration company. One month after I started that new job, in a new state, in a new industry I also knew very little about, Superstorm Sandy hit New Jersey. Talk about an opportunity to again “learn on the fly.” When I started, the primary market was for rentals and apartments, which I was already very familiar with. However, the company that I worked for had ties to several other industries including CAI and introduced me to the world of community associations. Thanks to them, I learned a lot and also had the connections

and the confidence to find another amazing job opportu nity with Rezkom. I have been very fortunate to have had so many encouraging mentors along the way to give me confidence when I had none and see strengths in me that I couldn’t see myself. I would say the biggest change in the industry is being open to change. When I started many of those in leadership were accustomed to the “way we have always done it. My main goal is to continue to grow professionally and personally and help as many people as possible to do the same. And the most important thing to me is my health and my family. Linda Courain, CMCA, AMS: I have always loved work ing with people. What better way to help people than to help them make their home the best place it can be! I learned early on to have patience and to take all concerns into consideration. It is so important to learn to listen in this field. Being detail-oriented and having a commitment to following up on everything really has helped me to keep my residents happy. I would be remiss if I didn’t mention my mentor, Denise Becker, CMCA, AMS, PCAM. Denise real ly instilled in me to believe in myself and lead with compas CONT I NU E S ON PAGE 38

37

M A R C H 2 0 2 3