AANC Board Spotlight | Karen Spaid

PitBorn and raised in western Pennsylvania, AANC board member Karen Spaid is one of six siblings, with whom she is very close. She also has many nieces and nephews and comes from parents who each had large families as well, resulting in over 100 first cousins and creating quite a substantial family tree. Family and friends have always been important to Karen and are at the heart of what drives her to not only build relationships, but nurture and strengthen those relationships along the way.

After attending the University of Pittsburgh, Karen moved to Virginia with one of her best friends. It was there she met her lifelong partner, Michael, more than 32 years ago. Their relationship eventually took them to Chicago, where Karen began managing a 56-story high-rise with 901 apartments located just four blocks from Wrigley Field. This experience marked the beginning of a dedicated career in the multifamily industry.

Karen and Michael spent several years in Chicago before deciding to relocate to Arlington, Virginia, to be closer to family. They spent 15 years enjoying the energy and opportunities of the Washington DC metropolitan area before they visited a friend in Wilmington, North Carolina, and everything changed. They immediately fell in love with the NC coast and decided it was the perfect place to call home.

In 2015, Karen and Michael moved to Wilmington and Karen accepted the position of Property Manager at One Midtown. More than a decade later, she continues to love the community she serves, as well as the coworkers and residents who have become an important part of her daily life.

KAREN'S FAVORITES
COLOR: BLUE   
PIE: KEY LIME
MUSIC: Almost any genre, but mostly classic rock and country
SPORTS TEAM: Pittsburgh Steelers and Chicago Cubs
_{(pictured left: Michael and Karen at Edinburgh Castle in Scotland)}

Karen's passion for serving others and for building community extends beyond the property she manages. After arriving in Wilmington, she began volunteering with the Wilmington Apartment Association (WAA) by joining a committee. She soon became even more involved with WAA, first serving as Treasurer, then Vice President, and then as President in 2024 and 2025. In 2021, Karen graduated from the AANC Leadership Lyceum program and was also humbled to receive the Paul Moore Award. Her commitment to multifamily and her dedication to leadership continue today, as she continues to serve on the board of WAA, as well as the board of the Apartment Association of North Carolina (AANC).

When she's not working or volunteering, Karen loves to travel with Michael. They have spent time hiking through several of America's national parks, whitewater rafting down the Grand Canyon, exploring the ocean in a submarine off the coast of Barbados, and snorkeling among the reefs of several Caribbean islands. Karen and Michael also love live music and have plans to mark something off Karen’s bucket list, which is a trip to Red Rocks in Colorado to see the Zac Brown Band.

Family and connection are at the center of everything Karen does. Whether assisting residents, volunteering on a committee, or simply spending time with loved ones, relationships are important to her. Karen’s success in multifamily reflects the impact one person can make by investing in relationships, embracing new opportunities, and giving back to the communities they call home.                                                                                    _{(pictured above: Karen and Michael at a Guinness factory in Dublin, Ireland.)}