(Lansing) Habitat for Humanity of Michigan’s board of directors today (July 13, 2010) named Sandra A. Pearson to serve as the organization’s new president and chief executive officer. Pearson, currently the executive director and chief operating officer, will assume her new responsibilities in an orderly transition that will be effective October 1, 2010, at which time Dr. Ken Bensen will turn over his CEO responsibilities to focus on fund development. Bensen has agreed to remain involved in a supporting role to ensure a seamless leadership transition.
“Sandy is committed and dedicated to the Habitat mission of providing decent, affordable housing to those in need,” says Bensen. “We matched her qualifications with the position description we developed and the qualifications she or he should have. Sandy not only met those qualifications, but exceeded them. She brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to Habitat.”
A graduate of Michigan State University’s Eli Broad College of Business, Pearson began her career in housing with the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA), where she served for 16 years and was recognized with several awards and commendations. While at MSHDA, she began working with local, state and federal resources as a community development specialist developing nonprofit housing finance tools and home ownership programs that could serve the lowest income populations. Sandy is the co-author of MSHDA’s Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Homeownership Program, which gained national recognition due to its unique emphasis on creating partnerships and long-term home ownership strategies for successful home ownership.
In the two years Sandy has been with Habitat for Humanity of Michigan, she has provided leadership in implementing the strategic priorities of the Board of Directors, including the launch of the Michigan Regional Distribution Center and the Habitat for Humanity of Michigan Fund, Habitat Michigan’s licensed mortgage origination and servicing company. Her scope of work broadened as she oversaw an increase in HFHM staff and a growth in financial and educational resources for affiliates. Sandy is a field expert in HUD HOME, CDBG, and NSP rules and regulations and plays a key role in the development of programs with MSHDA and other agencies that serve the Habitat mission.
Habitat for Humanity of Michigan is the state support organization for Michigan’s 77 Habitat for Humanity affiliates which serve every county in the state. HFHM’s mission is to increase the capacity of Habitat for Humanity affiliates in Michigan to build or renovate simple, decent homes in partnership with people in need.