Corporate Headquarters
735 N. Water Street, Suite 175
Milwaukee, WI 53202
800-221-9882
Corporate Headquarters
735 N. Water Street, Suite 175
Milwaukee, WI 53202
800-221-9882
Michelle Baldry’s story starts the way a lot of engineers’ stories do, with a love of math and a natural pull toward problem-solving. Growing up in South Florida, she also had something else shaping her early: a practical, hardworking family and an uncle who encouraged her to consider engineering as a real path.
When a local engineering firm offered a scholarship that included a summer internship, Michelle applied, earned it, and spent her summers learning what engineering looked like in the real world. That experience made the decision feel clear. She went on to earn her Civil Engineering degree from the University of Florida and graduated into Florida’s land development boom, designing subdivisions during a time when growth felt nonstop.
Then the housing crash changed everything. Work slowed, teams shrank, and the environment around her became less sustainable. In 2010, a former college roommate introduced her to reserve studies and Reserve Advisors. Michelle had never heard of reserve studies, but she quickly saw what made the work different. It was technical, yes, but it was also deeply human. It required accuracy and integrity, and it required the ability to explain tough realities with care.
Today, that combination is what makes Michelle such a trusted resource. In a field that is still largely male-dominated on the technical side, she has built her reputation by being steady, honest, and genuinely helpful. She leads national sales for Reserve Advisors, supports teams across the country, and is often the person others call when the conversation needs both expertise and a calm, human approach.
Michelle began her Reserve Advisors career in Florida, doing the work hands-on and learning the real-life challenges boards face. She saw up close how communities struggle when planning is unclear, when the information feels overwhelming, or when no one wants to be the person who brings bad news to the neighborhood.
In 2013, Michelle moved to the Washington, D.C. area to open an office and expand Reserve Advisors’ presence in the Northeast. Over time, that growth became so substantial it effectively split into two major territories: the Northeast and the Mid-Atlantic.
What stands out most about Michelle’s impact is not just where she has worked, but how people respond to her. She is top of mind when groups need someone to teach, explain, or guide a difficult conversation. She does not lead with ego. She leads with listening.
Michelle is also candid about one of the hardest parts of this work. Board members often feel pressure to keep dues low, even when long-term needs say otherwise. Some would rather not look too closely, because once you know what is needed, you are responsible for acting. Michelle understands that tension and helps boards move through it in a way that feels honest and doable.
B.S. Civil Engineering, University of Florida
15+ years in reserve study planning
Professional Engineer (PE)
Reserve Specialist (RS) and Professional Reserve Analyst (PRA) Designation
Leads national sales for Reserve Advisors
Chair, CAI Reserve Study Best Practices Guide (2026)
Board Member and Past President, Foundation for Community Association Research (FCAR)
Michelle oversees sales across the country for Reserve Advisors. She supports teams in every region and helps make sure clients feel informed, heard, and confident from the first conversation onward.
Her work often includes:
At the center of all of it is the same goal: make the work easier to understand, and make the next step feel possible.
“Before every engagement, I want to know what each client’s pain points are. What are their biggest capital planning challenges, what questions are they getting from their residents, and what challenges they foresee in putting into practice the recommendations?”
-Michelle Baldry, Vice President of Sales
Michelle is known for being the kind of expert people feel comfortable calling. Not because she makes things sound complicated, but because she makes them feel manageable.
She regularly teaches classes for boards, managers, and industry groups. She has helped deliver continuing education opportunities for property managers, and she is a familiar face at events where long-term planning and responsible maintenance are the focus.
In these sessions, Michelle often hears the same questions come up, especially in places where requirements are newer and boards are trying to figure out what to do with the information:
Michelle has also shared recorded education content, including a session titled “Ask the Experts Webinar: To Reserve or Not to Reserve – That is NOT the Question on the CAMS Training YouTube channel.
On the national level, Michelle serves in a major leadership role with the Community Associations Institute (CAI). She was on the committee that revised the 2023 Reserve Study Standards, a revamp that follows major changes in awareness and expectations after the Surfside tragedy. She chairs the committee updating the 2026 Reserve Study Best Practices Guide.
Frequent Speaker and Educator
for HOA board and manager groups
Trusted by Industry Partners
who routinely partner with her on education sessions
Known for teaching that starts with the audience's questions
CAI's National Rising Star (2023)
Volunteer of the Year - CAI Chesapeake (2024)
Rising Star - Washington Metropolitan Chapter of CAI (WMCCAI) (2022)
CAI National Award of Excellence in Designations (2022)
Michelle is raising two kids (10 and 7), and she is honest about the season of life she is in. Work is full. Home is full. And she cares deeply about doing both well.
She is up early to get work done before the school day starts, then shifts into family mode. Outside of work, she likes being outdoors with her kids and spending time in nature. She also values travel and tries to fit in weekend trips when she can, plus a bigger trip during school breaks. This year included New York City for spring break and Mexico in the summer.
Michelle is also thoughtful about the world her kids are growing up in, especially around social media. She is not interested in putting on a performance online. She prefers what feels real, useful, and grounded. That same approach shows up in her work. People trust her because she tells the truth, listens closely, and genuinely wants to help.
Industry and Education
How She Leads
Life Outside Work
Training Guides
CAI Institute: 2026 Reserve Study Best Practices Guide