AVE leaders Lea Anne Welsh and Ashley Cerasaro have been named to GlobeSt.’s 2026 Women of Influence. The program recognizes women shaping the future of commercial real estate. Both honorees have helped build AVE’s reputation for hospitality-driven living and resident experiences that stand apart in the multifamily industry.

Lea Anne Welsh, President of AVE and COO of Korman Communities, has guided the company’s operations for more than three decades. In 2025, she led the openings of AVE Paradise Valley in Arizona and AVE Santa Clara in Silicon Valley, and both communities quickly welcomed residents home. In 2026, she led a national evolution of the AVE brand. That work included a redesigned digital experience with real-time booking tools for AVE’s growing number of flexible-stay, furnished apartment guests. Lea Anne spends half her time on-site at AVE communities, keeping the brand’s high-touch hospitality grounded in what residents value most. She also chairs the Research & Data Analytics Committee for the King of Prussia District. Her Holiday Spirit of Giving program has collected more than 25,000 pounds of food for local families.

Ashley Cerasaro, SVP of Brand Communications, is known as the “Voice of AVE” and has been with the brand for nearly 14 years. She built AVE’s cross-functional Resident Survey program, which earned the top national ranking in its tier for resident satisfaction three years in a row. Under her leadership, AVE communities hold a 4.7-star average online reputation, well above the multifamily industry average of 4.13. Ashley brings a journalist’s eye to brand storytelling, keeping messaging consistent across AVE’s national portfolio of communities. Through her work with Move For Hunger, she has raised $108,000 and coordinated the donation of more than 26,000 meals.

Together, Lea Anne and Ashley reflect what it means to Live Better® at AVE. They lead with attentive service, thoughtful communication, and a genuine commitment to the residents and neighborhoods AVE serves. Their recognition among the most influential women in real estate celebrates the hospitality that defines every AVE community.