At this year’s PM Springfest 2026, hosted by ACMO, industry leaders gathered in Toronto to explore the evolving challenges and opportunities within condominium management. Among the featured speakers was Dean McCabe, President of Meritus Group Management, a Tribe Management company, who joined a panel discussion focused on one of the most critical and often under-discussed topics in the sector: the mental health and well-being of condominium managers.
The conversation reflected a reality that many in the industry recognize but do not always have space to openly discuss.
Condominium management is both rewarding and demanding work. Managers are frequently the first point of contact when something goes wrong. They respond to urgent issues, navigate resident concerns and conflict, coordinate vendors, manage compliance and legal obligations, and carry the responsibility of decisions that directly impact people’s homes, finances, and sense of safety.
As Dean McCabe highlighted during the panel, this work extends far beyond technical expertise. It requires sustained emotional labour, staying composed in moments of conflict, making sound decisions under pressure, and maintaining professionalism even when facing frustration or criticism. Over time, those demands can accumulate.
The discussion emphasized a message that resonated strongly throughout the room: no one in this profession should be expected to carry those pressures alone.
Open conversations about stress, burnout, and anxiety remain essential to strengthening the industry. Creating environments where mental health can be discussed without stigma, whether within management firms, among boards, or across industry partnerships, is a critical step toward sustainability in the profession. Supporting managers also means recognizing the human side of the role and building systems that allow people to do their best work without sacrificing their well-being.
Dean’s participation underscored the importance of continuing this dialogue, not as a one-time topic, but as an ongoing industry commitment.
Thank you to PM Springfest and ACMO for creating space for these conversations, and to all panel participants and attendees who continue to help move the discussion forward in meaningful ways.