The Honorable John Carona and Helen Carona Honored with D CEO’s Corporate Leadership Excellence Award

Corporate Leadership Excellence Award recognizes the Caronas’ philanthropic leadership and Associa’s culture of service across North Texas

DALLAS — July 27, 2026 — Associa, the industry’s largest community management company, is proud to announce that its CEO, The Honorable John Carona, and executive vice president and chief corporate officer, Helen Carona, were named the Corporate Leadership Excellence winners in D CEO’s 2026 Nonprofit & Corporate Citizenship Awards.

D CEO revealed the winners July 23 during a private event at South Side Ballroom in Dallas. Presented in partnership with Communities Foundation of Texas, the annual awards program honors outstanding nonprofit organizations and the companies and leaders who champion their missions across North Texas. This year’s program received more than 900 nominations and recognized 136 finalists across the region.

The award recognizes John and Helen Carona’s long-standing commitment to service, philanthropy and community stewardship across North Texas. Together, their leadership has shaped Associa’s culture of service and advanced a model of corporate citizenship grounded in shared investment, practical support and long-term community benefit.

“At Associa, service is not separate from who we are. It is part of how we lead, how we support our communities and how we show up for people in moments that matter,” said The Honorable John Carona, CEO of Associa. “Helen and I are deeply honored by this recognition from D CEO, and we share it with the Associa team members, nonprofit partners and community leaders who make this work possible.”

As founder, chairman and CEO of Associa, John Carona has built more than an industry-leading company. He has advanced a leadership model rooted in stewardship, civic responsibility and service to the broader community. That philosophy is reflected most clearly in Associa Cares, the 501(c)(3) public charity he established to provide direct financial assistance to individuals and families affected by natural and man-made disasters.

Since 2005, Associa Cares has provided more than $6.4 million in assistance to more than 4,500 families. Rather than limiting support to Associa-managed communities, Carona created a model designed to help people based on need, reflecting his belief that communities are strongest when shared resources are available to all. The organization provides practical, dignified relief that reaches people directly when they need it most. John Carona has also embedded this philosophy into Associa’s culture through employee volunteer efforts, companywide giving initiatives and community-focused programs that encourage team members to participate in causes larger than themselves.

“For me, service has always been personal,” said Helen Carona. “Whether through Associa Cares, Dallas CASA, TRAC or the organizations our family has been fortunate to support, the goal is always the same: to help create stability, opportunity and hope for people and communities who need it most. I am deeply honored to be recognized alongside John and the Associa team, whose commitment to giving back continues to inspire me every day.”

Helen Carona, executive vice president and chief corporate officer of Associa and secretary of Associa Cares, has community involvement that includes work as an active Court Appointed Special Advocate through Dallas CASA, where she advocates for children in foster care who have experienced abuse or neglect. She also provides financial and volunteer support for Transition Resource Action Center (TRAC), which serves youth aging out of foster care and young people experiencing homelessness. TRAC provides life skills training, housing assistance, workforce support, education assistance and other critical services to about 1,200 young people annually. This summer, Associa also launched an internship program for youth served by TRAC, creating a meaningful bridge between support services and long-term opportunity.

The Carona family’s broader philanthropic support includes significant commitments to Children’s Health, Fair Park First, Baylor University and The Salvation Army of North Texas. Those efforts include a $5 million commitment to support the new Dallas pediatric campus at Children’s Health, a $5 million gift to Fair Park First for Carona Plaza at the Cotton Bowl, a $5 million gift to create the Carona Family Commons at Baylor University and a $1.5 million gift to The Salvation Army of North Texas’ One Army, Many Fronts campaign. John and Helen are also recognized as early investors in UT Austin’s Mulva Hall.

D CEO’s 2026 Nonprofit & Corporate Citizenship Awards recognized 136 finalists across the region. D CEO editors selected the 2026 Nonprofit & Corporate Citizenship Awards winners, and all finalists will be featured in the magazine’s August issue.

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About Associa
With more than 340 branch offices across five countries, Associa is building the future of community for more than 7.5 million residents worldwide. Our 23,000+ team members lead the industry with unrivaled education, expertise, and trailblazing innovation. For more than 48 years, Associa has brought positive impact and meaningful value to communities. To learn more, visit www.associaonline.com