For years, community association management has focused on strengthening its foundation of technical skills. While those capabilities remain essential, they are no longer what differentiates excellence in community management. Emotional intelligence is.
When my wife and I moved into our community association, I was simply excited to be part of a new building. As I got to know my neighbors, attended board meetings, and saw how deeply people cared, I realized how meaningful it would be for me to help guide our community transition from developer control to homeowner-led governance.
I moved into my first community association at age 11 in 1991. That transition — a new city, new school and a new neighborhood — could have been intimidating. Instead, it became the backdrop for some of my fondest childhood memories and ultimately shaped how I think about community today.
In celebration of Women’s History Month in March, Ungated profiles women in the community association industry who give their time, creativity, and expertise to mentor others, build relationships, protect investments, and enhance communities. These profiles reflect women’s significant influence and their impactful contributions to the common interest housing model. Meet Phyllis Swink and Carolyn Bonds.
Community managers today face a mix of expanding responsibilities, tighter staffing, and rising expectations. Across the industry, leaders are experimenting with artificial intelligence to strengthen operations and lighten heavy loads. They’re finding that AI tools can be utilized to support daily work and broader organizational growth.
