Careers in Community Management - Free Live Webinar!

Kara Cermak is part of the RealManage family after selling her company in 2017.  Kara served as the President and is the daughter of the founding owner of Rowell Incorporated, AAMC. Kara graduated from Northern Illinois University with an Operations Management Degree and a minor in English Literature.  She has over 30 years of experience in the industry, managing communities, and overseeing the day-to-day operations of a team. As a leader in the industry, Kara realizes the importance of improving the industry as a whole. She obtained the CMCA®, AMS® and PCAM® (the pinnacle of CAI designations).  She served as a Board Member for the Illinois Chapter of the Community Associations Institute (CAI) for 8 years and also served as President of the Chapter for a year. She became National Faculty for CAI’s Professional Designations Program in 2009 and continues to teach throughout the country. Kara earned the Educator of the Year Award in 2017 and served from 2017 through 2019 on the National CAI Board of Trustees, and the National CAI Community Manager's Council. She is now a member of the Community Manager Success/Support Group (CMSG) for the RealManage family, and teaches, mentors, and supports community managers and board members within RealManage for their personal development. Kara, in concert with other professional women friends, founded celebrating all that is feminine (CATIF) in order to fund charities that need a means of funding, giving back to women and children in our community. The charity is a 501(c)3 and we have contributed over $200,000 to local organizations, from a grassroots effort of fundraising, over the last 10 years.  

Melissa Khan is a seasoned professional with 18 years of experience in thecommunity association industry. From portfolio manager to Director ofOperations, I am now the proud owner of my management company (Retro CommunityManagement). I hold certifications as a CMCA and PCAM and a Master's inBusiness Administration. I am an active member of CAI – IL. Driven by a passionfor community association management, she is dedicated to fostering success andharmony within neighborhoods. Balancing the demands of work and home, shecherishes valuable moments with her loving family.

Ms. Kojzarek has been with PSI since May 2005 when she began as a filing clerk. Through her tenure with PSI she has worked in several capacities, with many of her years spent in the Accounts Receivable Department working closely with the Association’s attorneys on the collection of assessments. Ms. Kojzarek acquired her CMCA in 2013, AMS in 2017, and PCAM in 2021. She has been a key asset in bringing in new technology and implementing it at PSI. In addition to her responsibilities at PSI, she is very active with CAI-IL as past Chair of the Marketing Committee and the Manager Education Committee, member of the Volunteer Commission, 2020 Olympus Award winner, and Chapter Board President for 2023.  When she is not working or volunteering in the industry, she enjoys spending time with her family, watching Disney and playing games.

Jason Mitchell is an Onsite Community Association Manager, CMCA, AMS with 15 years of association management industry experience.  Jason started his career on the vendor side of community management overseeing the construction division of Lieberman Management in 2006 before transitioning to the association management side of the industry in 2016.  Jason serves on the CAI-Illinois Manager Education Committee, Schaumburg Park District Joint Advisory Committee, and the Schaumburg Park Foundation Board.  

Gordon Schiavone is a Senior Property Manager, CMCA, AMS with over 25 years of experience as a portfolio manager with Villa Management. Managing many community associations throughout Chicagoland. Including, Condominiums, Townhomes, Mid Rise as well as high rise communities. Gordon currently serves as a member of the Cai-Illinois Manager Education Committee.