Lea Anne Welsh has been the operational heartbeat of Korman Communities for over three decades, serving as President of AVE and as the firm's COO. Under her leadership, AVE was ranked the nation's number one apartment operator for renter satisfaction for three consecutive years.

In 2025, Welsh oversaw the opening of AVE Paradise Valley in Arizona and AVE Santa Clara in Silicon Valley, both of which achieved rapid lease-up success. She spearheaded a national brand evolution in 2026, modernizing AVE’s identity and launching a redesigned digital platform with real-time booking tools to meet the surge in demand for flexible-stay furnished apartments.

Welsh spends 50% of her time on-site at AVE communities, ensuring the brand’s high-touch hospitality model remains scalable and grounded in resident needs. She is also deeply involved in civic leadership, serving as Chair of the Research & Data Analytics Committee for the King of Prussia District.

Her charitable program, Holiday Spirit of Giving, has generated over 25,000 pounds of food for families in need.