Behind every property, housing program, and residential community is a group of professionals working every day to keep buildings running, support residents, and strengthen the communities people call home. It's demanding, meaningful work that shapes the daily lives of millions of people who may never fully understand the effort behind it.
As a 100% women-owned company that works alongside property management and housing teams daily, Telelink has the privilege of seeing that impact firsthand.
This International Women's Day, we are spotlighting nine women making a meaningful difference in their organizations and communities — women whose stories demonstrate how resilience, empathy, and thoughtful decision-making help shape stronger communities every day.
Meet Telelink's 2026 Women to Watch in Property Management.
Marnie Andrews- Events and Corporate Relations Manager, Alberta Seniors & Community Housing Association (ASCHA)
Marnie's connection to housing is personal. As a single mother balancing housing costs, childcare, and everyday expenses, she knows firsthand how fragile housing security can be. "I was, at times, only one paycheck away from the risk of homelessness." That experience gave her a deep appreciation for what stable, affordable housing really means — and it's what drives her commitment to this work every day.
At ASCHA, she works to connect housing providers with the service partners who support them. One of her proudest accomplishments has been overhauling the association's annual trade show, drawing on her background as a business owner to make it more useful for everyone in the room.
Her advice to women entering the field: "Empathy and emotional insight are strengths, not liabilities. When grounded in professionalism and evidence, emotional awareness can be a powerful catalyst for meaningful change."
Outside of work, her greatest joy is her daughters, who she describes as her primary motivation for making a positive impact in the world. She's also an animal lover, sharing her home with two dogs, a horse, and a cat.
She turned a deeply personal experience into a career built around making housing more stable for others. Marnie, you inspire us. Thank you for the work you do.
Katerina Ostrovsky- Manager of Property Services, Entre Nous Femmes Housing Society
Katerina has spent over eight years in property management, working across both non-profit and market rental housing. At Entre Nous Femmes in Metro Vancouver, one of Canada's first women-led community housing organizations, she leads the team responsible for maintaining and improving portfolio.
The part of her work she's most proud of isn't operational. "I'm proud that we've created a culture where people feel supported, respected, appreciated, and genuinely enjoy coming to work. When a team feels happy and healthy, it shows in the care we provide to residents."
She's also candid about the harder side of the work. Burnout and compassion fatigue are real, she says. Getting through it required "boundaries, self-care, and a strong internal sense of purpose."
Her advice: "Define success on your own terms. Real impact comes from integrity, resilience, and how you care for people, including yourself."
On days off, she and her very large Bernese Mountain dog are usually hunting for a new trail. "We don't let a little rain, snow, or mud stop us."
She protects her energy so she can keep showing up and her team feels the difference. Katerina, you inspire us. Thank you for the work you do.
Udokam Iroegbu- Operations Lead, Nora Hendrix Place — Hogan's Alley Society
Nora Hendrix Place is a 52-unit modular housing building in Metro Vancouver that prioritizes Black and Indigenous residents at risk of homelessness. Leading its operations is no small thing, and Udokam steps into that responsibility every day with clear purpose.
What keeps her grounded is the organization's mission itself. "Hogan's Alley Society's unwavering commitment to upholding dignity, culture, safety, and belonging in housing" is what inspires her, and it shows in how she leads.
The part of her work she's most proud of is her team. "Together, they ensure our residents are supported and their needs are addressed, while upholding dignity and ensuring safety." In supportive housing, that's everything.
Her biggest lesson so far is one every housing professional eventually learns: "We cannot plan for every mishap. A few things won't go to plan, but with a strong team you can respond to issues as they arise and learn from them."
Her advice: "Build real relationships in this sector, not just transactional ones. And find something outside of work that brings you joy" For her, that's dodgeball and basketball.
She knows you can't plan for everything. So she builds teams strong enough to handle anything. Udokam, you inspire us. Thank you for the work you do.
Brennan Tomasetti- Owner, Guild House Hotel
Brennan manages a National Historic Landmark property in Philadelphia with deep roots in women's history. She describes her work simply: "delivering a unique, memorable, one-of-a-kind stay in the heart of Philadelphia."
The personal journey she's most proud of is "growing into confidence as a leader." She spent years second-guessing herself and she's done with that. "It feels good to step into a phase of confidence — of who I am and of what I am capable."
Her advice: "Put the necessary guardrails in place to reduce risk and go for it. Take your shot."
At home, her greatest joy is raising her daughter.
She stopped waiting to feel ready. Turns out, she already was. Brennan, you inspire us. Thank you for the work you do.
Margaret Go- Director of Housing & Property Services, Entre Nous Femmes Housing Society
Margaret oversees a team within the Housing & Property Services department that manages 471 diverse rental homes across Metro Vancouver, including both subsidized and affordable housing. The organization also has four new housing projects currently in development, which will add more than 500 additional homes to its portfolio in 2028. Her work spans asset planning, operational improvements, and the day-to-day reality of supporting residents through complex circumstances.
She's been in the sector for a decade and is clear about what keeps her there: work that is rooted in supporting the unique needs of women, single‑parent families, seniors, and other equity‑deserving groups. ENFHS isn’t just about providing housing; it’s about creating stability, dignity, and opportunity for people who often face the greatest barriers. "Helping a mother secure a stable home and watching her reunite with her children is incredibly heartwarming. Helping a senior settle into their new home and begin to feel a sense of community is equally meaningful. These are the stories that stay with me."
Over time, she's shifted from a purely operational mindset to something more person-centered, learning to see that "behind every door is a story, often one shaped by trauma, systemic barriers, or experiences of instability."
Her advice to women: "Lead with kindness and compassion. Trust your voice & take up space. Be a part of a community where women lift one another up"
She didn't just learn to see the person behind the file. She built a team that does too. Margaret, you inspire us. Thank you for the work you do.
Dellah Neequaye- Customer Service Leader, MetCap Living
With over 18 years in property management, Dellah leads the customer service department at MetCap Living, one of Canada's largest residential property management companies. Her team manages resident inquiries, maintenance coordination, and the communications, including a quarterly resident newsletter, that keep communities informed.
She's proud of the composure she brings to fast-moving situations. "Property management is often fast-paced and unpredictable, and I value my ability to lead with composure and strength, particularly in high-pressure moments where clear direction and confidence are essential."
One of her harder-won skills has been navigating situations where "concerns are rarely just operational — they're personal." Balancing empathy with policy, she says, is what builds real trust over time.
Her message to women in the industry is direct: "Trust your competence and be fearless. You don't need to make yourself smaller or more palatable to belong in any room."
Eighteen years in and she's still raising the bar — for her team, her residents, and the women coming up behind her. Dellah, you inspire us. Thank you for the work you do.
Joanne Cabreca- Facility & Maintenance Manager, Civida
Joanne oversees 52 sites and roughly 2,700 residential units across Edmonton for Civida, one of Alberta's largest housing organizations. She came up through the organization, moving from Property Manager to her current role leading facility operations and maintenance strategy.
She's direct about what drew her to the work: "A safe and stable home is the foundation for everything else — health, employment, education, and overall well-being."
One of her most meaningful challenges has been maintaining quality maintenance services within the tight budgets that come with affordable housing. "Resources are limited, but expectations for safety and service remain high." Strategic planning and preventative maintenance have been her answer.
Her advice: "Work with your heart. Let your compassion guide you, but make decisions with clarity and purpose. When you balance both, you can lead with purpose while staying effective and resilient."
Off the clock, she swims and unwinds with investigative series about intelligence and conspiracies.
Behind every work order is someone's home. She never forgets that. Joanne, you inspire us. Thank you for the work you do
Flora Beharaj- Resident Relations, Northview Residential REIT Canada
Flora handles resident requests and concerns at Northview, acting as the connection point between residents and the teams working on the ground. "I love communicating with people," she says, “and property management gives me the opportunity to work directly with them daily."
What makes her proudest is something that's hard to put in a job description: being the support that both residents and regional teams need, and helping everyone move toward "the main goal — making our residents feel at home."
One lesson she's taken from her career: mistakes aren't about finding who's responsible. They're "an opportunity to learn and grow as a team and find a way to make it better for the future."
Her advice: "Working with people requires lots of love, dedication, and patience. If you have these, property management will be a rewarding experience."
Outside of work, she enjoys cooking, music, dancing, and hiking near lakes.
She shows up with love, patience, and dedication every day. Residents feel it. Flora, you inspire us. Thank you for the work you do.
Kelly Mahajan- Customer Experience Lead, Mainstreet Equity Corp
Kelly leads customer experience at Mainstreet Equity Corp., which manages over 19,000 rental suites across Western Canada. Her role sits, as she puts it, "at the intersection of operations, technology, and brand."
She didn't plan to work in property management. She found her way in through opportunity and stayed because of impact. "Housing sits at the foundation of everything. When someone feels secure in their home, it changes how they show up in their work, their families, and their communities."
One challenge that shaped her most was learning to lead without direct authority. Much of her work crosses departments she doesn't directly lead. "Sustainable change in property management doesn't come from directives. It comes from clarity, collaboration, and helping people see how improving the resident experience also strengthens operations, reputation, and performance."
Her advice: "Don't wait until you feel completely ready. Confidence builds through experience. Lead with integrity. Stay curious. Treat people well."
She didn't plan to land in property management. The industry is better that she did. Kelly, you inspire us. Thank you for the work you do.
These nine women are a small slice of a much larger community keeping housing running across the country. If their stories resonate, share them with someone in your network who deserves a moment in the spotlight too. The housing sector is full of women worth celebrating and today is a good day to start. We hope their stories inspire you as much as they did us.
About Telelink
Telelink is a 100% women-owned company and Canada's leading answering service provider for property management companies that value strong resident relationships. Our specialized property management division helps teams keep tenants satisfied while reducing operational pressure.
Our scripting process is built on industry best practices. Each script is designed to triage urgent and non-urgent calls while capturing the information your team needs, minimizing unnecessary follow-ups and interruptions. The result is less stress for staff and a smoother experience for tenants.
To get in touch with the Telelink team, visit our contact page.