Exceptional property management goes beyond maintaining buildings—it’s about building community. This Hispanic Heritage Month, we’re taking the time to celebrate  Crystal Towers’ Property Manager, Sergi Cardoza, who perfectly embodies this belief, and whose remarkable journey and dedication to excellence have earned her multiple prestigious recognitions. These accolades include back-to-back PACE Awards in 2023 and 2024, Property Manager of the Year at DweckSTARS 2024, and Dweckster of the Month this February. 

Sergi’s entry into property management wasn’t planned. It was serendipitous. “I came into it by accident,” she reflects, sharing how her role as an Accessory and Parts Manager at a motorcycle dealership led to a connection with a property manager whose son rode ATVs. She began her property management career as a leasing consultant in 2012 and quickly demonstrated her natural talent for connecting with people and understanding their needs.

Her career trajectory speaks to both her dedication and natural leadership abilities. After being promoted to assistant manager, she briefly pursued law enforcement before returning to property management. Since February 2021, she has been with Dweck Properties, managing Crystal Towers—the largest community in our portfolio at 912 units.

The Property Management Association’s Apartment Community Excellence (PACE) Awards hold special significance for Sergi and her team. “It’s confirmation that we’re doing something right,” she explains. “Our team gets praised for customer service and everything we do for our residents. It’s nice to be recognized by the PMA for doing what we can for our residents.” The judges’ feedback on Crystal Towers’ PACE Award recognition tells a compelling story of teamwork and excellence. They noted: “I’m awarding bonus points to Crystal Towers for the outstanding teamwork and dedication demonstrated by the entire staff. Their focus on continuous training and self-improvement reflects a true commitment to excellence in the industry… Managing a team of 21 is no small feat, and Crystal Towers does it with exceptional cohesion and professionalism.”

Sergi’s Hispanic heritage brings a unique dimension to her leadership approach. Being bilingual allows her to connect with residents on a deeper level, creating bridges of understanding that strengthen the community. “One of my greatest strengths is my ability to communicate with a wider range of people,” she explains. “It helps residents feel truly heard and understood.”

Her cultural awareness goes beyond language. “Knowing my heritage and how I was raised, it gives me more compassion for people in different walks of life,” Sergi reflects. This perspective shapes how she creates inclusive environments where every resident feels welcomed and valued. She recalls a moment during a lunch break when she encountered a Spanish-speaking resident who looked lost. Being able to help him in his native language was a simple but powerful reminder of how her background enhances her ability to serve the community.

What truly sets Sergi apart is her commitment to creating experiences that transform apartments into homes. Her goal of hosting at least one event per week might seem ambitious, but for Sergi, it’s about recognizing that everyone deserves to feel connected and celebrated.

Her events range from simple yet thoughtful gestures—such as providing lollipops on National Lollipop Day or greeting children with goodie bags on their first day back to school—to larger celebrations, including annual pool parties, casino nights, and Food Truck Fridays. Each event reflects her understanding that building community requires consistent effort and creativity.

“We don’t just focus on real estate, we focus on the human,” Sergi emphasizes, capturing the essence of her approach to property management.

Sergi’s leadership philosophy centers on collaboration and support. “I foster an environment of collaboration, learning, and helping, and people know they can come to me with anything. It’s a judgment-free zone. We lift each other up,” she explains. “There’s nothing I would ask them to do that I wouldn’t do myself first.” This approach has created what she describes as “more than coworkers.” As clearly recognized by the PACE judges, Sergi’s tight-knit team of 21 is a pillar of exceptional cohesion and professionalism.

Beyond her professional excellence, Sergi is deeply committed to community service through Dwecksters Doing Good. She regularly volunteers at shelters and with victims of domestic violence, driven by her fundamental desire to help others. “I believe in giving your time back to the community as much as possible,” reflecting her belief that service extends beyond professional responsibilities.

For Hispanic professionals considering careers in property management, Sergi’s message is clear and encouraging: “Sky’s the limit! I started without knowing anything about it… If you have a passion to help people, it’s the right thing to do.” Her journey from an accidental entry into property management to becoming an award-winning leader demonstrates that with dedication, cultural awareness, and a genuine commitment to serving others, extraordinary achievements are possible.

Sergi’s story represents the best of what property management can be—a profession that combines operational excellence with genuine care for community building. Her back-to-back PACE Awards, Property Manager of the Year recognition, and the consistent praise from residents and colleagues alike are a testament to her exceptional leadership and the positive impact one dedicated professional can have on hundreds of lives.

We’re proud to have leaders like Sergi who understand that our success is measured not just in operational metrics, but in the communities we build and the lives we touch. Her commitment to excellence, cultural inclusivity, and genuine care for others exemplifies the values that define our organization and our mission to create exceptional living experiences for all our residents.