Who We Are
Dedicated Leaders
We are passionate advocates for community stewardship and raising the standard in our communities and beyond.

Chad Christian
President
Chad is President of Redwood Communities, overseeing the national portfolio and leadership team. An experienced multifamily executive, he has a depth of industry knowledge and holds a lengthy list of certifications that include C3P, CAM, CAPS, ARM and TCS.
With more than a dozen years working to lead multi-site and affordable site management, Chad identifies areas of improvement, quickly identifies and implements efficiencies and delivers results for communities. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Real Estate Finance from the University of Texas in Austin.

Dawn Hynes
Senior Vice President, Operations
Dawn is Senior Vice President of Operations at Redwood Communities and brings 35 years of diverse experience overseeing portfolios encompassing senior living, Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC), Section 8, receiverships, foreclosures, and conventional properties from lease-up to stabilized assets.
She has a history of implementing best-in-class operational and customer-centric strategies to reposition communities, driving growth for investors, and leading a dynamic team through innovative problem solving.

Trent Knight
Senior Vice President, Maintenance & Facilities
Trent Knight is Senior Vice President of Maintenance & Facilities, a seasoned operations executive with over two decades of experience driving strategic initiatives across facility operations, financial management, and executive leadership. Known for his innovative and analytical approach, Trent has successfully led large, decentralized teams and overseen multimillion-dollar budgets, capital improvement programs, and sustainability efforts. His leadership roles at organizations such as Paul’s Corp, Mack Property Management, Avalon Bay, and Jan-Pro Franchising International highlight his expertise in operational strategy, risk management, and asset preservation. Trent has consistently delivered measurable improvements in efficiency, safety, and profitability, including launching enterprise-wide safety audit programs and developing software to track capital assets.
Trent’s early career includes service in law enforcement and the military, bringing a disciplined and mission-driven mindset to his professional endeavors. He holds a Bachelor of General Studies with a minor in History from Southeastern Louisiana University and has completed advanced leadership training through Villanova University. He is currently pursuing the Sustainability Facility Professional Credential from the International Facilities Management Association and holds multiple safety certifications from the National Association of Safety Professionals. Trent’s ability to lead cross-functional teams and present to C-suite stakeholders makes him an asset in any high-performance operational environment.

Janis Cowey
Senior Vice President, Learning & Development
Janis is Senior Vice President of Learning & Development at Redwood Communities, leading the creation and implementation of training and support to ensure our team members are effective and fulfilled in their roles. She has an impressive 35-year career in property management and a history of delivering organizational impact by increasing competency and knowledge while elevating culture.

Claudia Argueta
Vice President, HR
Claudia is Vice President of HR at Redwood Communities, overseeing day-to-day human resource needs, including recruiting, hiring, and onboarding for the company. Prior to joining Redwood, Claudia worked for regional multifamily management companies for more than 7 years in the Houston area.

Thomas Baird
Vice President of Facilities & NSPIRE
Thomas is Vice President of Facilities & NSPIRE at Redwood Communities, leading the development and implementation of NSPIRE evaluation preparedness strategies. He is an accomplished leader with a dynamic approach to boosting team efficiency and effectiveness.
With a background that includes both tax credit affordable housing and conventional communities, he anticipates team needs and leads the development of hands-on training programs that focus on top-tier technical proficiencies. He has won several awards, including the National Apartment Association Professional of the Year.

Sasa Potestas
Vice President, Compliance
Sasa is Vice President of Compliance at Redwood Communities. She has more than 18 years of experience in affordable housing property management and leasing. She has a vast knowledge of the industry, including expertise in low-income housing tax credit (LIHTC) and Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
She earned a bachelor’s degree in business economics from the University of the Philippines and has several professional credentials. Those include Housing Credit Certified Professional (HCCP), Certified Occupancy Specialist (COS), EIV Specialist (EIV-S) and Certified Credit Compliance Professional (C6P).

Nana Takamitsu
Controller
Nana is Controller for Redwood Communities and has more than 20 years of accounting experience across real estate, affordable housing, and property management. She has extensive knowledge of tax compliance and financial audits.
She has a proven track record of optimizing financial operations, implementing systems like Yardi Voyager and RealPage. She supports strategic growth through accurate reporting and leadership in accounting best practices.

Katrina Avila
Regional Vice President, Operations
Katrina Avila is Regional Vice President of Operations at Redwood Communities, a seasoned property management executive with over 30 years of experience spanning onsite operations to corporate leadership. Her expertise includes asset management, acquisitions, due diligence, and oversight of diverse property types—from Class A developments to affordable housing and foreclosure repositioning. Katrina has held pivotal roles such as Regional Vice President and Vice President of Management, where she has consistently driven operational excellence, strategic growth, and team development.
Throughout her career, Katrina has led large-scale portfolios across multiple states, including Monument Property Management and Rainey Property Management. She has built management platforms from the ground up, developed SOPs, implemented training programs, and maintained strong owner relationships. Her leadership has resulted in measurable improvements in occupancy, income, and team performance, making her a trusted and impactful figure in the property management industry.

Nadine Ruiz
Regional Vice President, Operations
Nadine Ruiz is Regional Vice President of Operations at Redwood Communities, with over a decade of experience in affordable housing and property management. Based in Upland, CA, Nadine has built a reputation for excellence in overseeing multi-site operations, leading teams, and ensuring rigorous compliance with HUD Section 8 and TCAC/LIHTC regulations. Her expertise spans budget planning, financial analysis, property inspections, and operational audits, all aimed at maximizing financial performance and delivering exceptional resident services across diverse property portfolios.
Throughout her career, Nadine has held key leadership roles, including Regional Manager at Redwood Communities, Director of Property Operations at Trillium Property Management, and General Property Manager at LOMCO. In these positions, she has consistently implemented operational improvements, established standard procedures, and maintained high compliance ratings during audits. Nadine’s commitment to staff development, problem-solving, and customer service excellence has made her a trusted leader in the industry. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Recreation & Leisure Studies from California State University, Long Beach, and is dedicated to fostering efficient, compliant, and resident-focused communities.

Trevor Dahl
Executive Analyst
Trevor is an Executive Analyst at Redwood Communities, specializing in data analysis, reporting, and monitoring key market trends. With a strong foundation in both financial analysis and real estate development, Trevor brings a comprehensive approach to decision-making and strategy in the real estate industry.
He has a bachelor’s degree in Finance from the University of Oregon and a master’s degree in Real Estate Development from the University of Colorado.