Rockville, MD – Donaldson is excited to announce the promotion of Quay Belle to the position of Regional Vice President. In this role, Belle will oversee a portfolio of communities while mentoring and supporting Regional Managers across the company. She will work closely with operational teams to strengthen property performance, develop leaders, and support strategic initiatives across Donaldson’s growing portfolio.
Belle’s promotion reflects more than a decade of dedication and growth within the company. She joined Donaldson in June 2013 as Resident Relations Manager at Forest Village Apartments, later transitioning to Arden Pointe. Through her perseverance, dedication, and commitment to excellence, Belle steadily advanced within Donaldson as she learned in the ins and outs of leasing and managing. She successfully managed various properties as Community Manager, including The Glendale Apartments, Heather Hills, Andrews Ridge, and Fairmont Gardens.
Her leadership, work ethic, and results then led to her promotion to Regional Manager, where she oversaw a portfolio of communities and worked closely with property teams to strengthen operational performance. In her new role as Regional Vice President, Belle will continue expanding her leadership impact by guiding regional teams and supporting operational strategy across multiple communities.
Throughout her career, Belle has also invested heavily in professional development. She has obtained several industry certifications, earned her Washington, DC Property Management License, and is currently working toward her Certified Property Manager (CPM) designation, further strengthening her expertise and contributions to Donaldson’s operations.
Reflecting on her promotion, Belle shared that the milestone represents both a personal achievement and an opportunity to continue supporting the teams she has worked alongside throughout her career. “Coming from where I started, I’m incredibly proud of how far I’ve come and what I’ve learned along the way,” said Belle. “I have worked hard to grow within Donaldson, and this opportunity means a lot to me. It’s exciting, but it also comes with the responsibility to continue supporting our teams and helping them succeed.”
Having started her career on-site, Belle brings a unique perspective to leadership. Her experience working directly with leasing teams, maintenance staff, and property managers has shaped her approach to supporting operations at every level. “When you’ve worked on-site, you understand the challenges teams face every day,” Belle explained. “That perspective helps me support them while also making sure we stay focused on the bigger picture and the goals we need to accomplish.”
Belle describes her leadership style as collaborative and growth-oriented. She enjoys mentoring team members and helping them build the skills necessary to succeed in property management, particularly through training, problem-solving, and understanding the data that drives property performance.
Education and continuous learning remain central to her approach. Belle encourages team members to take initiative, ask questions, and pursue opportunities for professional development. “Don’t be afraid to ask questions or ask for help,” she advises those beginning their careers. “You have to advocate for yourself and go after the opportunities you want. Learn everything you can about your role and always think about what the next step might be.”
Belle credits several colleagues for supporting her professional growth over the years. She notes that Misti Mitchell, Senior Vice President of Property Management, has been a consistent mentor throughout her career, while Sharon Greene in Accounting has always provided valuable guidance that’s helped her develop a deeper understanding of the financial side of property operations.
Beyond her professional achievements, Belle values time spent with her family. She and her husband recently celebrated their sixth wedding anniversary, and together they are raising their nine-year-old son, who enjoys cooking alongside his mother and experimenting with new recipes. Belle also enjoys reading and spending quiet weekends with her family, often exploring new dishes inspired by cookbooks or online recipes.
Reflecting on her years at Donaldson, Belle says one of the things that stands out most is the company’s culture of support and teamwork.
“One of the things I’ve always appreciated is how people show up for each other,” she said. “Whether it’s helping during challenging situations at a property or supporting colleagues through personal moments, people truly rally around each other here.”
“Quay has been an integral part of Donaldson’s success for many years,” said Misti Mitchell, Senior Vice President of Property Management. “Her leadership, dedication, and commitment to excellence have consistently elevated the performance of her teams and communities. We are incredibly proud of her accomplishments and confident she will continue to thrive in her new role.”
Donaldson has a long-standing commitment to promoting from within and investing in the growth of its people. Leaders like Quay Belle reflect the strength of bringing experience from the front lines of property management and translating it into thoughtful leadership that continues to move the company forward.