who we are

Who We Are

Fox Cities Habitat for Humanity is an innovative leader in diverse housing solutions by empowering families and inspiring community wide action to break the cycle of poverty.

Our Mission

Seeking to put God’s love into action, Habitat for Humanity brings people together to build homes, communities, and hope.

Our Vision

A world where everyone has a decent place to live.

Our Values

Everything we do is in stewardship of our community, our environment, and the time, talent, and treasures of our volunteers, staff, donors, and shoppers. As good stewards, we commit to upholding these values: Responsibility, Respect, and Relationships.

Responsibility:

  • We accept that our actions impact everyone around us.
  • We prove that we can depend on each other.
  • We continuously improve our operations, challenge assumptions when warranted, and suggest better approaches.
  • We take responsibility for the safety of all who work, donate and shop with us.
  • We seek what’s best for the greater good, rather than what’s best for ourselves.

Respect:

  • We treat others as we would like to be treated ourselves.
  • We value differences and show this in our day-to-day words and actions.
  • We seek out, listen to, and respect the ideas and opinions of others.
  • We engage in honest and direct communication at all levels of the organization.

Relationships:

  • We help each other to grow personally and professionally.
  • We work hard and have fun in what we do.
  • We make time to help others and to ask others for help.
  • We share information openly and proactively.

Leadership

Board of Directors

  • Chairperson – Dean Gruner, MD | Retired President & CEO, ThedaCare, Inc.
  • Vice-Chairperson – Jackie Weber | Retired VP Member Engagement & Growth, Thrivent 
  • Treasurer – Randy Mahoney | Partner, Wipfli LLP
  • Secretary – Mark Loper | Retired President/CEO, AZCO, Inc.

Board of Director Members

  • Luke Benrud | President, Dura-Fibre, LLC
  • Coreen Dicus-Johnson, J.D. | President & CEO, Network Health
  • Dennis Episcopo | Senior Pastor, Appleton Alliance Church
  • Charlie Goff | General Partner, New Capital Management
  • Mike Kalinowski | Retired Manager of Supply Chain Analysis, Kimberly Clark
  • Tim Olson | Chief Financial Officer, Milk Source, LLC
  • Amy Sabourin | Vice President of Human Resource Services, J. J. Keller & Associates, Inc.
  • Kathi Seifert | Owner & President, Katapult, LLC
  • Catherine Tierney | President & CEO, Community First Credit Union
  • Rob Underhill | Retired, Kimberly Clark
  • Dave Van Lieshout | Owner, Van Lieshout Law Office
  • Mike Weller | Retired CEO, Mike Weller & Associates, LLC

Staff

  • President/Chief Executive Officer: John Weyenberg
  • Chief Operating Officer: Amy Ristow
  • Director, Community Development: Ryan Roth
  • Director, Construction & Real Estate: Roger Roth
  • Director, Development: Amy McGowan
  • Director, Family Services: Jessica Fleek
  • Director, Finance: Paul VanVreede
  • Director, Marketing & Communications: Irma Tavlian
  • Director, Volunteer Services: Jodi Isom

History of Habitat for Humanity

Habitat for Humanity was first imagined at Koinonia Farm in Americus, Georgia. Founded by farmer and biblical scholar Clarence Jordan in 1942, Koinonia Farm was committed to community and racial equity.

In 1973 at Koinonia Farm, Jordan, along with Millard and Linda Fuller, developed the concept of “partnership housing,” which emphasized people working side by side to build decent, affordable homes. From that idea, Habitat for Humanity International was founded in 1976. Today, Habitat affiliates work in more than 1,400 communities and 70 countries.

Fox Cities Habitat started serving families through new home construction in 1993. Since then, the organization has grown to support two Habitat for Humanity ReStore home improvement outlets, an Almost Home program, home rehab, home repair, Neighborhood Revitalization and Rock the Block programs.

Non-Proselytizing Policy

Habitat for Humanity International (“Habitat”) and its affiliated organizations will not proselytize, nor will Habitat work with entities or individuals who insist on proselytizing as part of their work with Habitat. This means that Habitat will not offer assistance on the expressed or implied condition that people must adhere to or convert to a particular faith or listen and respond to messaging designed to induce conversion to a particular faith.

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