Honoring the Past, Leading the Future
Celebrating the women who built our foundation and the leaders continuing to grow it.
March brings the first signs of spring — a season rooted in renewal, growth, and the promise of what’s ahead. It’s also Women’s History Month, a time to recognize the women whose leadership and dedication continue to shape industries and communities.
At Property Specialists, Inc., this year’s theme — Legacy in Bloom — reflects a meaningful chapter in our story: one that honors decades of leadership while embracing the future.
For more than 40 years, Cathy D. Ryan, CMCA, AMS, PCAM has been instrumental in shaping PSI’s identity. Beginning her career with the company in 1983, Cathy helped cultivate a culture grounded in integrity, professionalism, and strong client relationships. In 2014, she took a pivotal step forward by purchasing PSI, ensuring the company would remain locally owned and committed to the communities it serves.
Cathy often laughs when recalling her first days at the company.
When she began working at PSI, the owner, Tracy Hill, was out on vacation. Cathy remembers thinking, “I can’t wait to meet her,” assuming the company was owned by a woman. In the 1980s, that simply wasn’t the norm. Women were often expected to follow a different path — one where mothers stayed home raising children while fathers built their careers.
Cathy holds deep respect for the women of that generation — including her own mother — who dedicated themselves to raising families. But she quickly realized that path wasn’t the right fit for her.
She tried staying home briefly before returning to work and discovered something important about herself: she was meant to pursue a career. In many ways, she found that she was able to be an even better mother to her children while also building something meaningful professionally.
As the mother of four daughters, Cathy’s life was filled with both joy and challenges — something she jokes is evident in the well-earned wrinkles she carries today.
Each of her daughters spent time working at PSI during their teenage years, often starting as file clerks or filling in during the summer months to earn gas money. While it may have seemed like small tasks at the time, those early experiences exposed them to the realities of the working world, teaching responsibility, accountability, and the value of earning a paycheck.
Those lessons became seeds — quietly planted, waiting to bloom.
Over time, PSI evolved into more than just a workplace. It became a work family — an environment where employees support one another not just professionally, but personally as well. As society shifted and expectations around careers and parenting evolved, so did the company’s culture.
Creating a space where professionals can pursue meaningful careers while maintaining balance in their personal lives became an essential part of PSI’s identity. Today, that commitment to flexibility and support helps make it possible for employees — moms and dads alike — to succeed both at work and at home.
While Cathy celebrates the accomplishments of all four of her daughters, two of them chose to carry forward the PSI legacy. Today, Ashley Ryan and Brittany Kojzarek represent the next generation of leadership for the company.
Each brings her own strengths, perspective, and talents. Together, they form a complementary partnership that continues to guide PSI forward.
Ashley, who oversees the company’s financial leadership, plays a critical role in ensuring the long-term stability and strategic growth of the organization. Her thoughtful, analytical approach helps guide sound decision-making and keeps the foundation of the company strong as PSI continues to grow.
Brittany, serving as President and Chief Operating Officer, focuses on operations, leadership development, and the day-to-day guidance of the team, working closely with managers and staff to cultivate a culture of accountability, communication, and continuous growth.
Together, their partnership reflects the next evolution of the company — blending financial stewardship, operational leadership, and a shared commitment to the people and communities PSI serves.
For Brittany, the theme of Legacy in Bloom represents something deeply personal.
“We often think of flowers as either a bud or a full bloom, but we rarely stop to appreciate everything that happens in between. The flower has to tear itself open to grow. That process is uncomfortable — but it’s necessary.”
That philosophy has shaped Brittany’s leadership approach. Growth, evolution, and change are rarely comfortable, but they are essential for both individuals and organizations to thrive.
That growth can often be seen most clearly in the people around us.
At PSI, Brittany sees that blooming process in action every day — in the managers, assistants, coordinators, and leaders who are constantly growing into stronger versions of themselves. Watching team members step into new responsibilities, build confidence in their decisions, and support one another is one of the most rewarding parts of leadership.
As we celebrate Women’s History Month, it’s also a moment to recognize the countless women who paved the way before us — women who fought for the opportunity to choose their own paths, whether that meant raising families, building careers, or both.
Their courage created possibilities that previous generations never had.
And that legacy continues today.
Looking toward the future, Brittany hopes the next generation of women sees something powerful when they look at PSI.
“I hope they see empowerment. I hope they see that they are not limited by what the world expects them to be. I want them to know they can stand their ground, pursue their ambitions, and know their value.”
Because a legacy is not simply something that is inherited.
It’s something that continues to grow.
At Property Specialists, Inc., that legacy is still blooming.