Rockville, MD
The Northern Virginia Apartment Association (NVAA) Holiday Gala brought elegance, excitement, and industry camaraderie to the Westin Alexandria Old Town last night, as more than 260 multifamily professionals gathered for an unforgettable Casino Royale–themed celebration.
Guests enjoyed an evening of casino games, fine dining, music, dancing, and a lively silent auction benefiting NVAA’s Scholarship Foundation. But at the heart of the night there was something even more meaningful- recognizing the people whose leadership, dedication, and excellence elevate our industry every day.
Donaldson was proud to have three outstanding team members nominated for 2025 NVAA Annual Awards, a reflection of the talent, commitment, and impact our teams bring to the communities we serve.
Debra Francis- Assistant Community Manager, Donaldson, Rising Star Award Nominee
Debra Francis was nominated for NVAA’s Rising Star Award, which recognizes professionals who have entered the multifamily industry within the last three years and demonstrate exceptional promise.
Since joining the industry in October 2022 with no prior property management experience, Debra’s growth has been nothing short of remarkable. Hired as an Assistant Community Manager at a 164-unit community, she quickly mastered the fundamentals and delivered impressive early results, including increasing occupancy from 92% to 99% within her first three months.
Debra’s drive and curiosity led her to take on additional responsibilities, from coordinating HUD REAC inspections to organizing resident events and contributing to Donaldson’s Training Advisory Board. Her continued success earned her a promotion to a larger, 340-unit community, where she continues to excel under the leadership of Community Manager Nicole Avera.
Known for her compassion, professionalism, and strong financial performance, including collecting $19,000 in forfeitures in a single month, $15,000 above budget, Debra has earned the trust and admiration of residents, colleagues, and leadership alike.
Her journey from newcomer to trusted leader exemplifies the spirit of the Rising Star Award and reflects the future of our industry.
Flor “Yecica” Guzman- Leasing Consultant, Donaldson- Outstanding Onsite Team Member Nominee
Flor “Yecica” Guzman was nominated for the Outstanding Onsite Team Member Award for her extraordinary initiative, leasing expertise, and transformational impact at Fairmont Gardens in Annandale, Virginia.
When Yecica joined the community, occupancy stood at 85%. Within six months, she voluntarily stepped into expanded leadership responsibilities, effectively operating as a leasing manager and guiding the team to a remarkable 94% occupancy rate. Alongside this growth, resident satisfaction scores rose significantly, reflecting her dedication to service excellence and team collaboration.
Yecica’s success extends beyond her own community. Having worked at multiple Donaldson properties, she is now recognized as a leasing subject matter expert across the portfolio and is frequently called upon to onboard and mentor leasing teams at new communities. Her generosity with her time and knowledge embodies Donaldson’s values of Ownership, Unity, Innovation, and Excellence.
Her ability to combine technical skill, leadership, and genuine care for residents and colleagues makes her an exceptional nominee and an invaluable asset to the organization.
Deangelo Salters, Service Manager, Donaldson- Outstanding Onsite Team Member Nominee
Deangelo Salters was nominated for NVAA’s Outstanding Onsite Team Member Award for his exceptional leadership, versatility, and ability to drive results in even the most challenging environments.
Over the past 16 months, Deangelo has served as Service Manager at four different properties, consistently stepping in where he was needed most. Known for his ability to stabilize distressed assets, Deangelo has repeatedly transformed struggling maintenance operations into efficient, high-performing teams. At multiple properties, he achieved a 50% reduction in work order overages within the first 30 days, directly improving resident satisfaction and operational performance.
A hands-on leader and OSHA 30–certified professional, Deangelo leads by example. He prioritizes safety, organization, and accountability, while mentoring his teams and fostering a culture of excellence. His willingness to support other communities during staffing shortages and his recognition through Donaldson’s HERO awards program further highlights his impact across the portfolio.
Deangelo’s leadership, adaptability, and commitment to quality represent the absolute best of onsite operations.
Celebrating Excellence
Donaldson is incredibly proud of all three finalists. Their dedication, leadership, and impact embody our mission of creating strong communities and supporting the people who make them thrive.
Congratulations to Debra, Yecica, and Deangelo on their well-deserved nominations.