NEW YORK (August 17, 2015) – Karen Haycox, an accomplished non-profit executive has been named CEO of Habitat for Humanity New York City. Karen began her new role on August 3, 2015.
Founded in 1984 as an independent affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International, Habitat NYC builds in the five boroughs of New York City, creating affordable homes for ownership by families and individuals in need. With the help of thousands of volunteers every year, Habitat NYC has helped more than 380 families in New York City with their permanent housing needs. Habitat NYC’s first project began with President and Mrs. Jimmy Carter’s visit and build in the Lower East Side.
Karen most recently served as Vice President, Fund Development at Southwest Solutions, a leading provider of both human services and affordable housing and economic development in southwest Detroit. She previously held a number of senior positions with Habitat for Humanity International in Atlanta. During her career at Habitat for Humanity International, Haycox’s leadership roles included senior positions in the Carter Work Project as well as international & domestic disaster relief focused on the Asian tsunami, Hurricane Katrina & Rita, Haiti Earthquake, Midwestern tornado outbreaks and Superstorm Sandy. Haycox also managed Habitat for Humanity’s relationships with Major League Baseball, the National Hockey League and other key corporate supporters.
“We are thrilled to have Karen Haycox join Habitat NYC as our new CEO,” said Christine A. McGuinness, chair of the Board of Directors for Habitat for Humanity New York City. “The board was impressed with her long-term commitment to the organization, her ability to develop creative partnerships and programs and to communicate her compelling vision effectively to those sponsors, supporters, partners, government officials and of course the volunteers who are the lifeblood of an organization like Habitat NYC. We are excited to have Karen’s expertise as we grow our work of transforming lives through the building of affordable homes with low-income families and advocating for New Yorkers and affordable housing across the city and state.”
“I am so honored to accept this position as CEO of Habitat for Humanity New York City, “said Karen Haycox. “The work this organization has accomplished, including its incredible efforts in response to Superstorm Sandy, is truly remarkable and life-changing for hundreds of families in New York City. I look forward to continuing this tradition and helping to build new homes for families.”
“It’s my goal to actively engage New Yorkers in our mission of building and advocating for affordable housing. We will maintain our focus on increasing volunteer opportunities, strengthening connections with corporations and employers and on working alongside leaders and lawmakers in support of our cause. The affordable housing crisis has been a focus of Mayor de Blasio’s agenda and Habitat NYC will bring a valuable perspective to that conversation,” said Haycox.
