Habitat for Humanity Vail Valley announces leadership transition
Habitat for Humanity Vail Valley/Courtesy photo
Habitat for Humanity Vail Valley announced on Thursday the promotions of three longtime leaders within the organization: Elyse Howard, Emily Peyton and Kalie Palmer.
According to a news release, each of these leaders has served for more than 20 years at the nonprofit organization. All three have been involved in efforts to build an unprecedented number of homes in the Rocky Mountain region.
Howard and Peyton will co-lead Habitat Vail Valley as it nears its goal of Building to 200 homes by the end of 2028.
Howard, as president and chief operating officer, will be instrumental in raising the funds to move the organization’s mission forward. On the local, state and national levels, she will continue to advocate for affordable homeownership, as well as for building relationships with community leaders, governmental entities and the development community.
Peyton, as president and chief financial officer, will play a central role in building creative community partnerships and innovative financing strategies that have helped Habitat expand its homebuilding efforts. During her time with Habitat, she led the pilot modular project at Adam’s Way, bringing the Eagle County School District, the town of Eagle, Eagle County government and the Colorado Department of Housing together for a first-of-its-kind project providing affordable homeownership for Eagle County School District employees.
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Palmer has been promoted to vice president of human resources, recognized for her multiyear, ongoing strategic planning and forward-thinking organizational planning efforts, according to the news release.
The transition comes on the heels of John Welaj resigning from the top spot earlier this summer. During his 18 years at the helm, Habitat Vail Valley has expanded access to safe, affordable housing throughout the valley.
“We could not be better poised to take Habitat Vail Valley to even greater heights, and we are deeply grateful to John for his longevity with Habitat,” says Pete Thompson, chairman of the Habitat Vail Valley board of directors. “Emily and Elyse have both played instrumental roles in the organization’s strategic growth and recent achievements. We look forward to the continued growth and success of the organization.”
Since Habitat Vail Valley has built 186 homes since its founding in 1995, the board has strategically planned for significant growth in affordable home production as the community continues to grapple with the housing crisis. Habitat Vail Valley is one of the only builders of permanently affordable homeownership in Eagle County. The organization poured more than $35 million into affordable homeownership infrastructure between 1995 and 2024 and will invest another $35 million into the community by the end of 2028.
