Life, Values & Legacy: Our Chat with Neda Nehouray of California and Washington

Neda Nehouray shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Neda, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: What’s more important to you—intelligence, energy, or integrity?
Energy is my center, and with energy comes integrity and intelligence. When I think of the word “energy,” a few meanings come to mind. On a practical level, it can refer to the drive or capacity someone has on any given day. But energy is also the feeling others experience when they are around you.

I believe people carry different energies that can be felt, and I often think of individuals like batteries. Some people are energy positive. Being around them leaves you feeling recharged and uplifted. Most people are energy neutral. And some are energy negative, where time spent together leaves you feeling drained and depleted.

I am very aware of my own energy, and I set clear intentions to be energy positive. I try to make sure I am rested, grounded, and fully charged so that I can give my best to those around me. My goal is always to lift others up and help them feel like the best version of themselves.

When you lead with that intention, I believe you are living intelligently, with integrity, care, and purpose.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Neda Nehouray, and I am the Founder and CEO of HOA Organizers, a technology-forward homeowners association management company operating across California and Washington. I began working in the HOA industry at 18 years old and went on to start HOA Organizers at 25, building the company from the ground up with a deep understanding of both the operational side of management and the human side of community.

Building community is central to everything I do. Beyond day-to-day management, I am deeply committed to elevating our industry through education, particularly by empowering Board Members and homeowners with knowledge, context, and clarity so they can lead their communities more effectively. We believe informed Boards make better decisions, and that education creates stronger, more collaborative communities.

What makes HOA Organizers unique is our combination of high-touch service, transparent financial practices, and intentional use of technology, paired with a strong culture of mentorship and leadership development. I feel I have delivered with purpose when I have made a meaningful, positive difference, not only within the communities we manage, but also within the broader professional community we are part of.

We continue to work on creating more opportunities for fluid and smooth communication tools, establishing educational opportunities in person and online, and expanding our footprint to bring our personal touch services to more communities.

Okay, so here’s a deep one: What breaks the bonds between people—and what restores them?
What breaks the bonds between people is a loss of trust, often caused by miscommunication or a lack of communication, unmet expectations, or a feeling of being unseen or unheard. When people feel dismissed, misunderstood, or disrespected, even unintentionally, distance begins to grow. Over time, assumptions replace curiosity, defensiveness replaces openness, and the connection weakens. I’ve learned that in the absence of clear communication, people will create a narrative in their mind.

What restores those bonds is intention. Honest communication, accountability, and a willingness to listen without needing to be right can rebuild trust. So can empathy, clarity, and follow-through. When people feel acknowledged, valued, and safe to be honest, connection has room to return.

At its core, restoration happens when we choose integrity over ego, curiosity over judgment, and care over convenience. Those choices create the conditions for relationships to heal, deepen, and endure. It’s important to say what you will do and to do what you will say. Failing to communicate, or failing to be consistent in showing up and doing what you say you will, breaks trust.

What did suffering teach you that success never could?
To suffer is human, and despite everyone’s best efforts to portray a picture-perfect life on social media, we all suffer. Suffering taught me humility, empathy, and depth in a way success never could. Success can validate you, but suffering transforms you. It forces you to slow down, to listen more closely, and to understand the weight people carry that is often invisible.

Through suffering, I’ve also learned that there are always solutions. Even when circumstances feel overwhelming, there is always a next step, a different perspective, or a path forward. Over time, I’ve learned to shift more quickly out of suffering and into problem-solving.

That shift brings me back to center. Looking for solutions restores a sense of clarity, agency, and control. It reminds me that while I may not be able to change everything, I can always choose how I respond, and that choice is often where strength and momentum are found. I’ve actually found my success through this process. When I have felt overwhelmed or uncertain but have focused on my path forward instead of dwelling on the challenges, I have felt incredibly powerful when I have successfully navigated out of choppy waters. When things are hard, you find out who you are when no one is applauding, when outcomes are uncertain, and when perseverance is the only option. That kind of growth stays with you, and that has been the foundation to my success.

So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What truths are so foundational in your life that you rarely articulate them?
A foundational truth in my life is that intention matters. How you show up, how you treat people, and the energy you bring into a space all have a real impact, even when nothing is said out loud. I operate from the belief that people can feel sincerity, integrity, and care, just as clearly as they can feel the absence of it.

Another truth I rarely articulate is that relationships are everything. Progress, leadership, and success are built through connection, trust, and mutual respect. When you invest in people and lead with empathy and accountability, outcomes tend to follow.

Finally, I believe growth comes from responsibility. Taking ownership of your actions, your mindset, and your role in any situation is what creates real momentum. That belief quietly guides how I lead, make decisions, and move through challenges every day.

Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
When I’m gone, I hope people remember me as someone who lit up the room and the spaces I entered. I hope they say they learned something from me, felt inspired by me, or walked away feeling more energized than before. I want to lead by example, but also to truly impact the lives of the people I encounter along the way.

I hope I’m remembered as genuinely caring, uplifting, and intentional. I want to live an interesting and adventurous life, and to show others that curiosity, exploration, and growth matter. That life is meant to be experienced fully, not just managed.

I also hope to demonstrate the importance of exercise, fitness, nutrition, and overall well-being, and to show that it feels good to feel good. Self-care matters. Making sure you are recharged first is not selfish, it is essential. It is the best way to show up for others with clarity, patience, and strength.

Above all, I hope to help people become the best version of themselves, while reminding them that growth is always a work in progress. I read, I seek out learning environments, and I intentionally surround myself with people I admire and who challenge me to think bigger. That commitment to growth, care, and energy is the legacy I hope to leave behind.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.hoaorganizers.com
• Instagram: @hoaneda
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/neda-nehouray-08aa11159