Women in Community Associations: One Manager’s Unexpected Path to the Profession’s Pinnacle

Women in community associations have long been leaders within CAI and throughout volunteer and professional roles. They give their time, creativity, and expertise to mentor others, build relationships, protect investments, and enhance the overall quality of life in neighborhoods.

Take, for example, Kathrina Nguyen‑Cortez, CMCA, AMS, PCAM. 

She never imagined her professional path would lead to the pinnacle of community association management. Originally pursuing a future in information technology, she pivoted into community management in 2016 while raising two young daughters as a single mother. What began as a front desk role quickly evolved into a long‑term career shaped by education, mentorship, and connection.

Nguyen‑Cortez, general manager of Lexington Square Condominiums in Arlington, Va., earned CAI’s Professional Community Association Manager designation in 2025. She says earning the PCAM was never about prestige. Instead, she pursued it to establish credibility and create long‑term security for herself and her family. She describes the PCAM as the “doctorate” of the community association world: a milestone that affirms both experience and expertise.

Here’s how she recommends community managers approach the PCAM process.

Prioritize experience over memorization

When it came to preparing for the PCAM Case Study, Nguyen‑Cortez kept it practical. To succeed, she believes candidates must develop “community management street smarts,” not just book knowledge.

“The PCAM Case Study is a reflection of what you currently know,” she says. 

Rather than memorizing definitions, success depends on real‑world experience and meaningful engagement in the industry. The case study, she notes, reveals how well candidates can apply what they’ve learned.

Get involved early

Nguyen‑Cortez encourages aspiring PCAMs to immerse themselves in the industry before sitting for the exam. That means networking at CAI events, serving on committees, and actively listening to peers’ challenges.

“If you don’t know how to be a manager, the case study will reveal that,” she says. While many exam scenarios may not mirror a candidate’s current community, those who have learned from a variety of industry conversations are far better prepared to respond thoughtfully.

Focus on listening when networking

“(Listen) to the managers you surround yourself with,” Nguyen‑Cortez says. “Understand their problems. Learn how they solved them.” Exposure to diverse experiences, she believes, builds confidence and perspective when it matters most.

Rely on best practices

She also emphasizes the value of CAI publications, particularly the Board Member Handbook and the Community Association Manager Handbook. These resources helped ground her responses in established best practices and provided reliable professional references.

Be patient

Perhaps most importantly, Nguyen‑Cortez encourages candidates to be patient with themselves. While ambition is essential, she believes the PCAM should be pursued only when experience, confidence, and professional networks are firmly aligned.

“The stronger your involvement,” she says, “the stronger your foundation will be.”

Nguyen‑Cortez’s story is a reminder for women in community associations that confidence, genuine care for the work, and the willingness to take bold steps can be a powerful combination.

Strong Women, Strong Communities

Give to Gain, the theme of this year’s International Women’s Day on March 8, encourages a mindset of generosity and collaboration. It’s a call to share resources, knowledge, and support to accelerate equality and build stronger, more cohesive communities.

Community associations make an ideal home for this concept.

>>Look for more content on CAI’s channels of some women who have given their time, creativity, and expertise to build stronger, more cohesive communities.