Monica Areford, HCCP
Monica Areford is a senior property management executive with more than 25 years of experience leading large-scale, mission-driven housing portfolios across the Mid-Atlantic. Currently serving as Senior Vice President of Property Management at Columbus Property Management, a member of Mission First Housing Group, she oversees operations spanning D.C. through New Jersey and brings deep expertise in affordable housing, compliance, and organizational leadership. Over the course of her career, Monica has managed more than 100 properties and 12,000 affordable housing units, while successfully launching and stabilizing new management operations.
Monica is widely respected for her ability to balance operational excellence with a people-first approach. Beginning her career as a leasing agent in 1997, she advanced through regional and executive leadership roles by building strong systems, mentoring emerging leaders, and fostering resilient organizational cultures. Known for steady leadership in challenging moments, she notably guided teams through a corporate receivership while preserving jobs and maintaining resident care—an experience that reflects her calm, values-driven leadership style.
Deeply committed to community impact, Monica is passionate about advancing affordable housing and empowering youth. She is an active leader with the Young Marines, where she mentors and supports leadership development at both the unit and state-regiment levels. Grounded in resilience, empathy, and accountability, Monica thrives in mission-driven environments where she can combine strategic vision, operational rigor, and human connection to create lasting impact for people and communities alike.
• Housing Credit Certified Professional
• Tax Credit Specialist
• MMHA
• PMA
• The Young Marines
• VFW Ladies Auxiliary
• Church Involvement
• Young Marines
What do you attribute your success to?
I would have to say, of course, support from my husband, to allow me to put in the hours that I needed to put in. But I'm a very determined person, and I will do what it takes to succeed. I also had great female mentors who led me along the way.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I actually wrote an article about this. I feel that as women, we tend to minimize ourselves in the professional world, and the one very simple piece of advice that I give to young women is take the word 'just' out of your vocabulary. 'I'm just reaching out.' 'I just wanted to know.' You have the right to ask the question. Remove the word just.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in my field is overcoming imposter syndrome and the outdated belief that empathy is a weakness in leadership. At the same time, there’s a powerful opportunity to prove that empathetic, steady leadership—especially during organizational crises—is exactly what helps teams stay supported, resilient, and employed when it matters most.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
A leader's greatest strength is not their title, but the people who choose to walk beside them. I believe my job is to mentor people and help them grow as leaders - that's my job. Everything else is just tasks I have to do to get paid. My job is to create leaders and mentor each person in the way they need to be mentored, because it's different for every person, so they can be successful and grow as a leader. It's important to overcome imposter syndrome and lead with empathy. As women, we've spent all these years justifying our position and having to say 'this is why we deserve to be here,' but there's no man walking into the room saying this is why - he just walks into the room. To any woman still wrestling with that inner critic, you deserve to be in every room you've worked to enter. You do not need to justify your knowledge, your voice, or your leadership. Take your seat at the table, then pull up a few more chairs for the women coming behind you.