Habitat for Humanity Executive and Leadership Team

November, 2026

Leadership Overview

Habitat for Humanity has 10 executives leading key functions including strategy, financial oversight, operational scaling, and global program management.

Committed to the vision of a world where everyone has a decent place to live, Habitat for Humanity drives global housing equity through community-based construction, disaster recovery, and sustainable home repair initiatives.

Leadership Roles at Habitat for Humanity

  • Chief Executive Officer - Lana Vukelic
  • President & Chief Executive Officer - John Welaj
  • Chief Executive Officer of Tool Repair - Paul Heysse
  • President & Chief Executive Officer - John Kerwood
  • President & Chief Executive Officer - Natalie Griffith
  • Chief Financial Officer - Georgina Kurian
  • Chief Operating Officer - Lili Fuentes
  • Executive Administrator To the Chief Operating Officer (Chief Operating Officer) - Rebecca Watson
  • Global Chief Operating Officer - Patrick Canagasingham
  • President - Jay Balin
  • Lana Vukelic - Chief Executive Officer

    Lana Vukelic, the Chief Executive Officer at Habitat for Humanity, directs the overarching strategic vision for global housing initiatives. Overseeing the expansion of affordable home construction, the Chief Executive Officer ensures alignment between local community needs and international development goals. This leadership role involves cultivating partnerships with corporate donors and government entities to maximize the impact of housing programs. By optimizing resource allocation across diverse regions, Lana Vukelic directly influences the scale of disaster recovery efforts and home repair services. The Chief Executive Officer maintains rigorous standards for organizational transparency while fostering a culture of volunteer engagement. Through constant evaluation of market trends in the nonprofit sector, Vukelic secures the long-term sustainability of housing projects. Ultimately, the Chief Executive Officer drives the mission to eliminate substandard living conditions by scaling operational capacity and strengthening community-based networks worldwide.
    Lana Vukelic

    John Welaj - President & Chief Executive Officer

    John Welaj, the President & Chief Executive Officer at Habitat for Humanity, manages the integration of regional housing programs with national advocacy efforts. Overseeing the execution of large-scale construction projects, the President & Chief Executive Officer ensures that every initiative meets strict safety and affordability benchmarks. This leadership role involves coordinating with community partners to deliver essential home repair services to families in need. By streamlining the volunteer recruitment process, John Welaj enhances the efficiency of local chapters across North America. The President & Chief Executive Officer monitors performance metrics to guarantee that housing outcomes align with the broader organizational mission. Through strategic collaboration with the Board, Welaj identifies new opportunities for growth in underserved markets. Ultimately, the President & Chief Executive Officer strengthens the organizational framework, ensuring that every construction project contributes to the creation of vibrant, sustainable communities.

    Paul Heysse - Chief Executive Officer of Tool Repair

    Paul Heysse, the Chief Executive Officer of Tool Repair at Habitat for Humanity, architects the specialized infrastructure required for maintaining construction equipment across all regional sites. Overseeing the logistics of tool procurement and maintenance, the Chief Executive Officer of Tool Repair ensures that field teams possess the necessary resources for efficient home building. This leadership role involves managing vendor relationships and optimizing the lifecycle of heavy machinery used in disaster recovery efforts. By implementing standardized repair protocols, Paul Heysse reduces operational downtime and maximizes the utility of donated assets. The Chief Executive Officer of Tool Repair collaborates with regional directors to assess equipment needs and allocate resources based on project volume. Through rigorous inventory management, Heysse supports the organization's commitment to cost-effective construction. Ultimately, the Chief Executive Officer of Tool Repair drives operational excellence by maintaining the physical tools essential for building safe, affordable homes.

    John Kerwood - President & Chief Executive Officer

    John Kerwood, the President & Chief Executive Officer at Habitat for Humanity, leads the development of innovative housing solutions tailored to specific demographic needs, including veterans and youth. Overseeing the implementation of community-based programs, the President & Chief Executive Officer ensures that every project fosters long-term stability for families. This leadership role involves engaging with local stakeholders to secure land and funding for new construction initiatives. By analyzing regional housing data, John Kerwood identifies critical gaps in the market and directs resources toward high-impact areas. The President & Chief Executive Officer coordinates with cross-functional teams to streamline the transition from project planning to home completion. Through active participation in national housing policy discussions, Kerwood advocates for systemic changes that support affordable living. Ultimately, the President & Chief Executive Officer drives the organization's mission by ensuring that every home built serves as a foundation for community growth and individual empowerment.

    Natalie Griffith - President & Chief Executive Officer

    Natalie Griffith, the President & Chief Executive Officer at Habitat for Humanity, manages the strategic deployment of resources for disaster recovery and emergency housing services. Overseeing the rapid response teams, the President & Chief Executive Officer ensures that communities affected by natural disasters receive immediate support and long-term rebuilding assistance. This leadership role involves coordinating with international relief agencies to synchronize efforts and maximize the reach of housing aid. By fostering partnerships with local community leaders, Natalie Griffith builds resilient networks capable of sustaining recovery projects. The President & Chief Executive Officer evaluates the effectiveness of current programs and adjusts strategies to address evolving environmental challenges. Through meticulous oversight of project timelines, Griffith ensures that housing solutions remain both affordable and durable. Ultimately, the President & Chief Executive Officer drives the organization's impact by providing stable, safe environments for families navigating the aftermath of catastrophic events.

    Georgina Kurian - Chief Financial Officer

    Georgina Kurian, the Chief Financial Officer at Habitat for Humanity, directs the financial strategy and fiscal health of the global organization. Overseeing the management of donor funds and capital investments, the Chief Financial Officer ensures that every dollar supports the mission of building affordable homes. This leadership role involves implementing robust financial controls and reporting systems to maintain transparency with stakeholders. By analyzing revenue streams and expenditure patterns, Georgina Kurian optimizes the allocation of resources across international programs. The Chief Financial Officer collaborates with the executive team to develop long-term financial plans that support sustainable growth and disaster recovery efforts. Through rigorous audit processes, Kurian mitigates financial risks and ensures compliance with international nonprofit standards. Ultimately, the Chief Financial Officer drives the organization's stability by maintaining a strong balance sheet, allowing for the continuous expansion of housing services to families in need.

    Lili Fuentes - Chief Operating Officer

    Lili Fuentes, the Chief Operating Officer at Habitat for Humanity, manages the internal processes and operational workflows that enable large-scale home construction. Overseeing the coordination between regional offices and central headquarters, the Chief Operating Officer ensures that project timelines remain on track and within budget. This leadership role involves streamlining supply chain logistics for building materials and optimizing volunteer management systems. By implementing data-driven performance metrics, Lili Fuentes enhances the efficiency of home repair services and community development programs. The Chief Operating Officer collaborates with department heads to resolve operational bottlenecks and improve the delivery of housing solutions. Through continuous process improvement, Fuentes supports the organization's ability to scale its impact in diverse geographic markets. Ultimately, the Chief Operating Officer drives operational excellence by ensuring that every internal function aligns with the goal of providing safe, decent housing for all families.

    Rebecca Watson - Executive Administrator To the Chief Operating Officer (Chief Operating Officer)

    Rebecca Watson, the Executive Administrator To the Chief Operating Officer (Chief Operating Officer) at Habitat for Humanity, facilitates the strategic communication and administrative coordination required for high-level operational decision-making. Overseeing the scheduling and documentation of executive meetings, the Executive Administrator To the Chief Operating Officer (Chief Operating Officer) ensures that leadership priorities remain clearly defined and actionable. This leadership role involves managing the flow of information between the Chief Operating Officer and various regional directors to maintain organizational alignment. By organizing complex project data, Rebecca Watson supports the development of efficient workflows for home construction and repair services. The Executive Administrator To the Chief Operating Officer (Chief Operating Officer) monitors the progress of key initiatives and provides essential support for the execution of operational goals. Through meticulous attention to detail, Watson enhances the productivity of the executive office. Ultimately, the Executive Administrator To the Chief Operating Officer (Chief Operating Officer) drives organizational success by ensuring seamless coordination across all operational levels.

    Patrick Canagasingham - Global Chief Operating Officer

    Patrick Canagasingham, the Global Chief Operating Officer at Habitat for Humanity, directs the international operations and cross-border housing initiatives. Overseeing the expansion of programs into new global markets, the Global Chief Operating Officer ensures that local construction projects adhere to international quality and safety standards. This leadership role involves managing relationships with international partners and coordinating disaster recovery efforts across multiple continents. By standardizing operational procedures, Patrick Canagasingham improves the consistency and impact of housing services worldwide. The Global Chief Operating Officer collaborates with regional leaders to adapt strategies to unique cultural and economic contexts. Through the implementation of global best practices, Canagasingham optimizes the use of resources and enhances the scalability of housing solutions. Ultimately, the Global Chief Operating Officer drives the organization's international mission by ensuring that every global initiative contributes to the creation of safe, affordable living environments for families everywhere.
    Patrick Canagasingham

    Jay Balin - President

    Jay Balin, the President at Habitat for Humanity, leads the development of strategic partnerships and community engagement initiatives that support the organization's housing mission. Overseeing the outreach programs, the President ensures that local communities are actively involved in the construction and repair of homes for families in need. This leadership role involves representing the organization at public forums and advocating for policies that promote affordable housing. By cultivating relationships with local businesses and civic leaders, Jay Balin secures the necessary support to sustain long-term community development projects. The President coordinates with the executive team to align outreach efforts with the broader organizational goals of creating vibrant, inclusive neighborhoods. Through effective communication and advocacy, Balin increases public awareness and volunteer participation. Ultimately, the President drives the organization's impact by building strong, collaborative networks that ensure everyone has access to a decent place to live.

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Habitat for Humanity Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads Habitat for Humanity?
    Habitat for Humanity is led by Lana Vukelic (Chief Executive Officer), along with executives such as John Welaj (President & Chief Executive Officer) and Paul Heysse (Chief Executive Officer of Tool Repair).
    Who is part of Habitat for Humanity’s executive team?
    The executive team of Habitat for Humanity includes leaders such as Lana Vukelic (Chief Executive Officer), John Welaj (President & Chief Executive Officer), Paul Heysse (Chief Executive Officer of Tool Repair) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does Habitat for Humanity have?
    Habitat for Humanity has 10 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in Habitat for Humanity’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of Habitat for Humanity includes roles such as Chief Executive Officer, President & Chief Executive Officer, Chief Executive Officer of Tool Repair, President & Chief Executive Officer, President & Chief Executive Officer.