Redefining Holiday Expectations: Permission to Be Different
The holiday season often magnifies grief, stirring memories and expectations that can feel overwhelming. This session invites you to give yourself permission to do the holidays differently—whether that means creating new traditions, setting boundaries, or simply embracing imperfection. Together, we’ll explore practical wellness strategies for body and mind, the crucial distinction between moving forward versus moving on, and how to honor loved ones while allowing space for your own emotional needs. Through authentic support, intentional choices, and radical self-compassion, you’ll discover ways to navigate the season with honesty, resilience, and a redefined sense of meaning.
Leslie Alvarez, CMCA, AMS, LSM, PCAM
President & Founder
Community Association Consulting Experts, Inc.
Leslie has been a leader in the community management industry for over 27 years, managing nearly every type of community association in multiple markets. Licensed in Florida as both a CAM and CAM CE Provider, she also holds the CMCA, AMS, LSM, and PCAM designations. Her extensive experience—ranging from direct management to executive leadership—has shaped her passion for elevating the industry and supporting both managers and board members. A native Texan and single mother of two, she earned her BBA from Texas Woman’s University as an adult learner, embodying her belief that comebacks are born in life’s most difficult moments.
In 2022, Leslie founded Community Association Consulting Experts (Community ACE), expanding in 2024 to offer full-service management with boutique-level care and industry-leading technology. She has also served as a consultant and expert witness in association litigation. An active voice in the industry, Leslie sits on CAI’s Managers Representation Group and Board of Trustees, and she has authored two books—When Life Gives You Lemons, Make Tamales and Hot Mess Express. Drawing from both professional expertise and personal resilience, Leslie inspires others to embrace challenges, find their comeback strategies, and know they are never alone.