In April, the Dweck team gathered for an evening that felt equal parts celebration, reflection, and pure joy. Set against the moody glow of a cocktail bar, with a red carpet out front and a room full of Dwecksters dressed to the nines, this year’s DweckSTARS marked a milestone: five years of Dweck Properties and a chance to recognize the people who make our company so special. From the moment guests arrived, the energy was palpable. Seats filled quickly, laughter carried across the room, and coworkers greeted each other not just as colleagues, but as part of a community built over time.

The afternoon opened with a cinematic, documentary-style video that balanced humor with nostalgia, reflecting on how far Dweck has come. “Five years ago, I don’t think any of us knew what this would turn into,” one shared, followed by the sentiment that “it felt like we were building an airplane mid-flight.” As the video transitioned into a slideshow of team members over the years, the message was clear: Dweck has always succeeded because of its people. That spirit carried throughout the evening, from the crowd-favorite Dweck-O! bingo game, which kept guests engaged and laughing, to the steady stream of awards that highlighted both individual excellence and team achievement.

Each recognition was met with enthusiastic cheers, and in many cases, standing ovations from peers who understand firsthand the dedication behind the work. The awards celebrated more than performance metrics – they honored the everyday commitment to creating beautiful spaces, delivering exceptional experiences, and going the extra mile for residents. From standout properties to individuals living out Dweck’s core values, the evening told a larger story of purpose, pride, and shared success. A particularly meaningful moment came during the honoring of long-tenured team members, with milestones spanning 20+ and even 30+ years, underscoring the loyalty and consistency that define the organization. Ralph Dweck was also recognized for more than 55 years of leadership, a legacy that continues to shape the company today.

The celebration made space for joy and surprise as well, including a lively musical intermission featuring a Dweck-inspired take on Mambo No. 5, sung live by Dweck’s SVP of Property Management, Lizzie Rivera, accompanied by Operations team members dancing through the crowd and lifting the already high energy even further. The night also highlighted the importance of compassion, service, and living the Dweck values through a series of cultural and humanitarian awards, reinforcing that care for others is just as central to Dweck’s culture as excellence in the workplace. The evening culminated in the announcement of the DweckSTARs of the Year, with Carlos Baires recognized as Operations DweckSTAR of the Year, an honor that reflects outstanding leadership and impact.

More than anything, DweckSTARS 2026 served as a reminder that this is not just an awards ceremony; it is a celebration of people. Five years in, the foundation is stronger than ever, built on recognition, connection, and genuine appreciation for one another. And if this year’s celebration was any indication, we’re just getting started. 

2026 DweckSTAR Award Winners 

DweckSTAR of the Year – Carlos Baires, The Gramercy 

HQ DweckSTAR of the Year – Lindsay Lindquist 

5-Star Property – Quimby on 23rd

5-Star Team Member – Lalla Jazouli, Quimby on 23rd

Best Kingsley Overall Experience Score 2025 – The Cosmopolitan at Lorton Station 

Properties That Beat Kingsley Index in All 5/5 Main Categories

• Cosmopolitan Lorton
• The Gramercy
• The Sutton
• Rosslyn Heights

Property of the Year – The Gramercy 

Property Manager of the Year – Christine Fuller, Rolling Brook Village

Flor Yudice Humanitarian Award – Hermer Arredondo, ICON at Dulles Station 

Assistant Property Manager of the Year – Ivana Grozdanovic, Crystal Plaza

Maintenance Professional of the Year – Kevin Nguyen, Rosslyn Heights (not pictured below)

Maintenance Supervisor of the Year – Pedro Martinez, Quimby on 23rd

Leasing Professional of the Year – Jasmine Anderson, Annapolis Bay

Concierge of the Year – Lalla Jazouli, Quimby on 23rd

Concierge of the Year Part Time – Tiffany Parish, Quimby on 23rd

Rising Star: Property Operations – Dalani Brown, ICON at Dulles  

Rising Star: Maintenance Professional – Kindo Kamara, The Horizons 

Social Media Marketer of the Year – Emily Elias-Alverenga, The Sutton

Be Outstanding – Xavier Chorro, The Gramercy & Cosmopolitan at Lorton Station

Do What Matters – Jose Nunez-Gonzalez, Annapolis Bay 

Stay Curious – Gingrich Asante, Rolling Brook Village 

Live the Truth – Shelly Brooks – Crystal Towers (not pictured below)

 Take Care – Melanie Yapura – The Sutton 

Special thanks were extended to the sponsors who helped make the day possible:

Headline Sponsors:
Augustine Roofing, Capitol Services Plumbing, CRG, Hawkins Electric Service, and Sherwin-Williams.

Diamond Sponsors:
Adcock, Apartment + Office Floors, Capitol Boiler Works, Chapel Valley Landscape Company, Lux Flooring Specialists, and Yardi.

Platinum Sponsors:
B & R Cleaning Services Plus, Inc., C7C Complete Services, Conservice, DDyverse, DH Mechanical HVAC Contractor, Eagle Pest Services, Elise AI, ETI Elevator Technologies, Inc., MGN Pools Management, MIMS, SageWater, and Tru Star Inspection.

Gold Sponsors:
All Plumbing, Inc., American Disposal Services, Color Solutions, Densel Company Mechanical Services, Excel Property Solutions, Hyly.AI, OneDigital, Potomac Abatement, R Square Consolidated Services, Service Machine Shop, Inc., Waste Not Want Not, Winmar Construction, and Zillow Rentals.

Silver Sponsors:
ADP Services, Aire-Master, Derrick Associates, Inc., Direct Supplies Warehouse, Grace Hill, KE, Nurture Boss, Portugal Construction, RMS Fitness, Solutex, Inc., and Vector Security.