New CEO Announced For Habitat for Humanity

A big change for the Habitat for Humanity Peterborough & Kawartha Region as Susan Zambonin will become the new Chief Executive Officer beginning on Oct. 4 announced Friday.

Photo Courtesy of Habitat For Humanity.

Susan, the current chief operating officer with Habitat, has been involved with Habitat for Humanity for 18 years and has nine years combined executive leadership experience as CEO of Habitat PEI and Habitat Kingston.

“With Susan’s extensive leadership experience, construction knowledge and determination to build more affordable homes, we are confident that we can help more families across the Peterborough and Kawartha Region achieve affordable homeownership,” says Jill Bennett, board chair. “Susan has a proven commitment to Habitat’s core values, helping over 110 families into affordable homeownership through 66 builds in Canada and 4 Global Village builds."

She has won several awards including a Paul Harris Fellow from the Rotary Club of Charlottetown; and from Habitat for Humanity Canada an International Outstanding Contribution Award, Mentorship Award, and the Award of Excellence for creating a volunteer training program. Susan has also done numerous volunteer work and is an avid Rotarian.

“We are confident that Susan’s many talents, depth of philanthropic experience with Habitat for Humanity and proven strategic and collaborative leadership approach will help us to increase our affordable homebuilding efforts throughout the Region including the City and County of Peterborough, City of Kawartha Lakes, and Haliburton County,” expressed Bennett.

Susan will be taking over from Sarah Budd, who has led the organization for almost 15 years. The Board has thanked Budd for her contributions and commitment during her time as CEO.

Her leadership and vision were instrumental in managing the organization through the pandemic and moving the organization from a builder of single-family homes to a developer of multi-residential communities according to the press release.

Susan is coming on board as the organization embarks on an ambitious new strategic plan and is in the midst of the ongoing pandemic and increased need for affordable housing.

“It is an honour and a privilege for me to be Habitat’s new CEO and have a strategic leadership role in creating much-needed affordable housing in our communities,” says Zambonin. “This is an incredible opportunity to combine my passion for housing with my professional experience to continue to grow this respected organization. For over 18 years, I have been a leader in the fight for more affordable housing and I am very honoured to lead this great team in the Peterborough and Kawartha Region.”

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