Jacob Gold, CAE

Executive Director, Foundation for Community Association Research

Jake Gold, CAE, is the executive director of the Foundation for Community Association Research, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to advancing knowledge and understanding of common-interest communities through research, development, and scholarship. Under Gold’s leadership, the Foundation provides authoritative research and analysis on community association trends, issues, and operations that help foster successful and sustainable communities.

Since its inception in 1975, the Foundation has built a national reputation for producing accurate, insightful, and timely information. Its work includes sponsoring research to help community association stakeholders address emerging challenges; publishing Best Practices Reports on topics such as energy efficiency, governance, financial operations, and strategic planning; providing graduate research scholarships; and collecting and analyzing data on homeowner satisfaction, community operations, and industry trends.

Prior to joining the Foundation, Gold served for more than 20 years as director of education at Community Associations Institute, an international membership organization based in Falls Church, Va., representing more than 50,000 members and 64 chapters worldwide. In that role, he oversaw CAI’s education programs for community managers, homeowner leaders, and business partners that include in-person and online courses, webinars, credentialing curricula, and examination development. In 2012, Training Magazine recognized Gold as one of the nation’s Top Young Trainers.

Gold began his career as executive assistant to the executive director at the National Network for Youth, a national nonprofit dedicated to helping at-risk youth lead safe and productive lives and later served as communications manager and editor of Quorum magazine for CAI’s Washington Metropolitan Chapter.

He holds a master’s degree in public administration from George Mason University and earned the certified association executive credential from the American Society of Association Executives.