International Women’s Day: Celebrating Women Who Lead CAI’s Advocacy Efforts

International Women’s Day on March 8 is a global celebration of the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating gender equality. The theme of this year’s International Women’s Day is Give to Gain. This campaign encourages a mindset of generosity and collaboration.

Give to Gain emphasizes the power of reciprocity and support. When organizations like CAI and communities give generously, opportunities and support for women increase. Giving is not a subtraction, it’s intentional multiplication. When women thrive, we all rise.

The United States continues to see an increase in women leadership in government offices. Spotlighting the current data:

• 28% of the 455 congressional seats are women.
• 33.6% of the 7,386 state elected officials are women.
• 25.4% of the 1,686 mayoral seats are women.
• 30% of U.S. governors are women.

*This data is from the Center for American Women & Politics through Rutgers-New Brunswick Eagleton Institute of Politics.

The women who lead and contribute to CAI’s advocacy efforts throughout the year at the local, state, and federal levels embody this year’s theme. They work together with industry peers, stakeholders, and legislators to prioritize collaboration of minds on the policy issues worked on every day. Their sharing of knowledge allows CAI’s work to grow productively and for communities to develop throughout the country.

These women volunteer on behalf of CAI to promote healthy, vibrant communities. Through their grassroots activism, these women promote effective leadership and responsible citizenship in homeowners associations and condominium communities. Thank you to each of the following women advocacy leaders on behalf of CAI for the invaluable gifts they graciously provide to the industry:

CAI Government & Public Affairs Committee

• Alyson Astleford, CMCA, AMS, PCAM -Compass Management Group Inc
• Patricia A. Book -Willow Springs Community Association
• Anne Calarco, CMCA, AMS, LSM, PCAM -Level Community Management
• Jessica Melissa Knutsen, CIRMS -USI Insurance Services
• Lisa A. Magill, Esq. CCAL fellow- Kaye Bender Rembaum
• Joyce Sachs -1219 W. Wynnewood Condominium Association
• Ekoke J. Tambe, AMS, PCAM -Potomac Place Condominium

CAI Federal Legislative Action Committee

• Wendy Bucknum, CMCA, AMS, PCAM -Murow Development Consultants (chair)
• Ms. Karen O’Connor Corrigan, CIRMS -O’Connor Insurance Agency
• Lisa A. Magill, Esq., CCAL fellow – Kaye Bender Rembaum
• Natalie Stewart -FHA Review
• Wendy W. Taylor, CMCA, AMS, LSM, PCAM

College of Community Association Lawyers Board of Governors

• Amy K. Tinetti, Esq. – Hughes Gill Cochrane Tinetti (president-elect)
• Elina B. Gilbert, Esq. – Altitude Community Law
• Harmony W. Taylor, Esq. -Law Firm of Carolinas

CAI Amicus Curiae Committee

• Lisa Magill, Esq., CCAL fellow (co-chair)
• Gabriella Comstock, Esq., CCAL fellow
• Sarah Bueltmann, Esq.
• Karyn Kennedy Branco, Esq.
• Hope Derby Carmichael, Esq., CCAL fellow
• Melissa Doolan, Esq.
• Beth Gazes, Esq.

State Legislative Action Committee Officers

• Ala.
• • Mildred Lanier-Reed (secretary)
  • Jada Renee Hilyer, CMCA, AMS, PCAM -Neighborhood Management (treasurer)
• Calif.
  • Stacie Donnelly, PCAM -Condominium Financial Management Inc. (chair)
  • Betty Roth, CMCA, AMS, LSM, PCAM -Heritage Lake Master Association (treasurer)
• Colo.
  • Danaly Howe, CMCA, AMS, PCAM -Westwind Management Group, (chair)
• Fla.
  • Jaime L. Ballard, CMCA, AMS, PCAM, MBA -Management & Associates (vice chair)
  • Tammy Leigh Mercer, CMCA, AMS (secretary)
• Ga.
  • Mary Beth Sierra, Esq. –Coulter & Sierra, (chair)
  • Lisa Myers Turner, CMCA, AMS, PCAM -Silverleaf Management Group (vice chair)
• Idaho
  • Brittaney Bones, Esq. -VF Law (chair)
  • Brandi Pearson, CMCA, AMS -Mountainbreeze Management Company (treasurer)
• Ill.
  • Cindy Fitts, CIRMS -CISA Insurance (secretary)
  • Nancy R. D’Andrea, CMCA, AMS-Premier Community Management (treasurer)
• Ind.
  • Kelly Elmore, Esq. -Kovitz, Shifrin, Nesbit (chair)
  • Cristy Mckinney -HOA Community Links (vice chair)
• Ky.
  • Cindy Rausch -Villas of Persimmon Ridge Homeowners Association (secretary)
• Maine
  • Rebecca D Shiland, Esq. -Jensen Baird (chair)
• Md.
  • Brenda Wakefield, CMCA, AMS (secretary)
  • Cynthia Hitt Kent, Esq. -Law Office of Cynthia Hitt Kent, (assistant secretary)
  • Marie Fowler, CMCA, AMS, PCAM -Condominium Venture Inc. (treasurer)
  • Tricia A. Walsh, CISR -NFP Property & Casualty Services (assistant treasurer)
• Mich.
  • Kathleen Sarullo, CMCA, AMS -KS Management Inc. (secretary)
• Minn.
  • Phaedra Howard, Esq. -Hellmuth & Johnson (chair)
  • Alyson Astleford, CMCA, AMS, PCAM -Compass Management Group Inc. (vice chair)
• Mo.
  • Wendy Hazelwood, CMCA – Alliance Association Bank (treasurer)
  • Della Miller, CMCA, AMS, PCAM – Missouri Association Management, (secretary)
  • Nicole B. Lewis, CMCA, AMS – Sentry Management Inc. (chair)
• N.Y.
  • Deborah Gerelli, CIRMS – Gerelli Insurance Agency Inc. (secretary)
  • Beth Gazes, Esq. -Gallet Dreyer & Berkey (treasurer)
• N.C.
  • Margaret M. Chase, Esq. -Ruby Chase Taliercio (vice chair)
  • Madeline L. Williams -Ward and Smith, (secretary)
• Ohio
  • Robin L. Strohm, Esq. -Williams & Strohm (chair)
• Ore.
  • Katie Anderson, CMCA, AMS, PCAM -Aperion Management Group (chair)
  • Sara Eanni, CIRMS – Associs, LLC. (vice chair)
  • Laura Hall, CMCA, PCAM, -Community Management Inc. (secretary)
• R.I.
  • Karen M Bell (chair)
• Tenn.
  • Jeanette Marie Kloss, CMCA, AMS, PCAM -Ghertner & Company (chair)
  • Kristan Roberts Ward, CMCA, AMS -Sentry Management, Inc. (secretary)
• Texas
  • Wendy Hazelwood, CMCA –Western Alliance Bank (chair)
  • Elizabeth L. Babin, CMCA, AMS, PCAM (vice chair)
  • Diana R Larson, AMS, PCAM -Insight Association Management Company (secretary)
  • Kathryn Grutzmacher -Blue Stream Fiber (treasurer)
• Utah
  • Lauren DeVoe, Esq. -Morris DeVoe (secretary)
• Vt.
  • Christina A Jensen, Esq. -Primmer Piper Eggleston & Cramer, PC (chair)
• Va.
  • Aimee T.H. Kessler, Esq. -Segan, Mason & Mason, (secretary)
• Washington D.C.
  • Molly Peacock, Esq. -Briglia Hundley, PC (co-chair)
• Wash.
  • Hilary Bublitz, CMCA, AMS, PCAM -Mill Creek Community Association 2 (chair)
  • Valerie Farris Oman, Esq. -Condominium Law Group, PLLC (vice chair)
  • Vanessa Tilberg, CMCA, AMS, PCAM -Trestle Community Management (secretary)
  • Lisa M Puliafico -Salish Village Condominium Association (treasurer)
• Wis.
  • Amy Peterselli, Esq. -Kaman & Cusimano (chair)

Together, we are stronger.