From Ted Dosch, Board Chair, Chicagoland Habitat for Humanity

It is with a mix of sadness and gratitude that the Board of Directors announces Matt Johnson’s departure as CEO of Chicagoland Habitat for Humanity, effective March 6, 2020. Since 2013, as Chicagoland’s first CEO, Matt has played a critical role in the growth and success of Chicagoland Habitat.  While we will miss him and his leadership, we wish Matt the best of luck in his new endeavor as the CEO of the Cancer Research Foundation in Chicago. On behalf of the Board of Directors, I want to thank Matt for the 7 years of dedicated service which involved numerous accomplishments, including:

• Providing over $4.5 million in funding to support the growth of the mission of Habitat in the region.
• Executing one of the largest Chicago-area build events, ‘Raise Your Hand Chicagoland,’ to raise awareness and funds for Habitat across Chicagoland.
• Implementing multiple shared services among local Habitat affiliates to create cost efficiencies, so more money could go towards building homes. 
• Provided numerous trainings for staff and board members across the region to build local organizational capacity.
• ‘Bringing people together’, which is core to Habitat’s mission, through a variety of events, meetings, networking and partnership.

Over the next several months, we will be conducting a search to find the new CEO of Chicagoland Habitat for Humanity. During this transition period, it is our priority to determine the key qualifications and find the best individual to lead, while still maintaining a stable and effective organization. We will share the job announcement in the coming weeks and ask for your suggestions in identifying candidates who can help Chicagoland HFH continue on our growth trajectory.  In the interim, Rob Grierson will help lead the organization, and Chicagoland staff will continue operations and planning for upcoming events, such as the Habitat Hero event (which is June 23rd, 2020), throughout the transition.

Again, we cannot thank Matt enough for his passion, enthusiasm and leadership he has given Chicagoland Habitat over the past 7 years. He will be greatly missed by the Board, staff, and our many partners and donors.  I am hopeful and excited for the next chapter of Chicagoland Habitat as we continue to support hard-working families throughout the region. If you have any questions or concerns during this transition process, please do not hesitate to reach out to me directly at ted.dosch@anixter.com.

Sincerely,

Ted Dosch, Chair, Board of Directors, Chicagoland Habitat for Humanity

From Matt Johnson, CEO, Chicagoland Habitat for Humanity

It is with extremely mixed emotions that I soon will conclude my role as CEO of Chicagoland Habitat for Humanity.  For the past seven years, it has been an honor working with the Chicagoland Habitat Board of Directors, staff, donors, and our partners to help grow the mission of Habitat in the region.  Off and on since 1991, I have served in different roles with Habitat for Humanity, and my current position has been by far the most rewarding of my Habitat journey.  It seems I come back to Habitat regularly, so I view this as a “see you again soon” farewell more than a conclusion.

I am proud of the work we have done over the last seven years, particularly related to the support we have provided to the local Chicago area affiliates, as well as the role we serve in facilitating connections and strengthening ties within our regional network.  An important part of Habitat’s mission is to “bring people together to build homes, communities, and hope.”  Chicagoland plays an important role in doing that, and will continue to create opportunities to bring people together.

It is difficult to express in words the gratitude I have for the Chicagoland Habitat for Humanity Board of Directors and the leadership they provide to the organization.  This is an exceptional board that I will deeply miss following my departure.  The confidence I have in Ted, and the rest of the board, to lead the CEO transition is immense. In addition, the Chicagoland HFH staff is very strong, and will continue to serve the affiliates and Chicagoland region well during the transition.

Thank you, to our community of supporters and partners, for everything you have done to help make Habitat throughout Chicagoland stronger, so that we can serve more hard-working individuals.

Kind Regards,

Matt Johnson, CEO, Chicagoland Habitat for Humanity