Leslie Alvarez

Leslie Alvarez is a resilient storyteller, entrepreneur, and community association leader who has spent nearly 30 years turning hard-won industry experience — and personal adversity — into practical wisdom for others. As founder, President & CEO of Community ACE, a boutique, technology-driven HOA and condo management firm in South Florida, she brings both operational expertise and raw authenticity to everything she writes.

Leslie is the author of When Life Gives You Lemons, Make Tamales and Hot Mess Express, which chronicle her journey as a young single mother who refused to let circumstances define her destiny — from making tamales to pay the bills to building a thriving business career. Her latest book, Confessions of an HOA Manager, pulls back the curtain on the community association industry with the same candor: real stories, hard-earned lessons, and the kind of behind-the-scenes truth that proves, as she likes to say, "you can't make this stuff up."

Confessions of an HOA Manager is also a podcast, where Leslie shares solo, story-driven episodes on leadership, resilience, and the everyday chaos of managing communities — blending humor with practical operational insight for board members, managers, and anyone who's ever wondered what really goes on behind the scenes of their HOA.

Leslie holds the CMCA, AMS, LSM, and PCAM professional designations and a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Texas Woman's University, completed while working full-time and raising her children. She remains active in the industry through speaking, education, and advocacy work.

When not writing, podcasting, or running her business, Leslie can be found spending time with her two adult children and her pets Tori Burch (dog) and Louis V (cat). Her mission is simple: with enough determination and grit, any obstacle can be overcome — even if it means making tamales along the way.

Explore Leslie's books, and tune in to Confessions of an HOA Manager wherever you get your podcasts.