Chris Coleman creates C-Suite and welcomes four new Habitat board members

We’re so excited to introduce a newly restructured Executive Leadership Team at Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity, and to welcome four members to our Board of Directors.

Leadership Restructure

Since Chris Coleman joined Twin Cities Habitat as President & CEO in June 2018, he’s been working with other organizational leaders to understand the best way to structure our team for the future. He aimed to create more staff autonomy, streamlined decision-making, and an even better use of staff strengths and talents—all with the top goal of more effectively accomplishing our mission.

This week, he shared the details with staff and board members.

	We’re thrilled to announce that Robyn Bipes-Timm will be promoted to Chief Operations Officer and oversee Programs & Services, Lending, Human Resources, and Facilities. Robyn has a depth of knowledge of affordable homeownership and has been a remarkable innovator during her nearly three years at Habitat.
	In just his first few weeks as Chief Financial Officer, Joe Khawaja has shown his enthusiasm and strong strategic leadership. Joe will continue oversight of Finance, Accounting, and IT, and will begin to oversee ReStore.
	Cathy Lawrence has been an incredibly valuable leader during her three and a half years at Habitat and has guided record-breaking fundraising year after year. Cathy will have the new title of Chief Development Officer. She will continue to oversee Resource Development, Marketing, Communications, and Advocacy.
	Chad Bouley will have the new title of Chief Real Estate Officer. He will continue to oversee construction, land development, and public funding. Chad has been an important leader at Habitat for over 15 years. He and Chris will have the opportunity to work more closely together to innovate new ways to serve more families.

Robyn, Joe, Chad, Cathy, and Chris will compose the Executive Leadership Team and will work closely with other senior leaders in the organization.

Four Minnesota leaders join Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity Board of Directors

On top of creating a new executive leadership structure, Twin Cities Habitat is welcoming four new members to our Board of Directors.

The newest board members are:

• Craig Samitt, President and CEO, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota
• Garfield Bowen, Division Commercialization Manager, 3M
• Keiko Sugisaka, Partner, Maslon LLP
• Lou Cristan, 3Mgives Community Volunteer

“It’s an honor to welcome these four new members to our Board of Directors,” said Judy McNamara, Senior Vice President of Global Tax for Ecolab Inc., who is in her second year as Board Chair. “I’m awed by the talent and passion on our Twin Cities Habitat Board.”

The new members join as we rally the community through our Multiplying the Impact campaign, a five-year $55 million fundraising campaign to double Habitat homeownership opportunities for Twin Cities families.

Other Executive Committee members of the Board are:

• John Walbrun, Senior VP, Supply Chain and Properties, Caribou Coffee, serving as Vice Chair
• Mitch Bleske, EVP & Chief Financial Officer, Bremer Bank, serving as Treasurer
• Ann Senn, Community Volunteer, serving as Secretary

We tip our hard hats to all our board members. Many thanks for your dedication to our work and mission!