Habitat for Humanity International is proud to announce it has named Natosha Reid Rice as the organization’s first global diversity, equity and inclusion officer. Rice, who has served with Habitat since 2011, will serve as a member of the nonprofit’s senior leadership team.

“Habitat for Humanity International is fiercely committed to doing the work that brings equity to our efforts and helps bring justice to the communities in which we work,” said Jonathan Reckford, CEO of Habitat for Humanity International. “We have long relied on Natosha’s counsel as a leader in this space and are grateful that she has accepted this challenge to help us grow as an organization that embeds our diversity, equity and inclusion strategy into all that we do.

Rice is transitioning from her previous role as associate general counsel for real estate and finance at Habitat, where she initiated and managed financing programs and strategies to generate sources of capital that enable Habitat affiliates to build affordable housing with families throughout the U.S. In her new role, Rice will lead the development and the execution of Habitat’s global strategy for diversity, equity and inclusion.

“Habitat’s mission challenges us daily to put our faith into action,” Rice said. “The creation of this role is evidence of Habitat joining faith with good works to strengthen the organization for its employees, volunteers, donors and the families we partner with worldwide. I believe that this is more than the right thing to do  it is essential to the success of our mission and organizational strategy. I am honored to offer my experience and expertise in support of it.”

In addition to significant contributions to Habitat for nearly 10 years, Rice previously served as an attorney specializing in real estate, an area where many Black people and other communities of color have experienced decades of disadvantage and systemic discrimination. She has also worked as a college professor teaching on the political and practical issues related to community development, and as an accomplished and celebrated speaker and pastor bringing diverse people and communities together. In addition to her work at Habitat, Rice serves as minister for public life at All Saint’s Episcopal Church in Atlanta.