Atlanta Habitat for Humanity today announces the strategic realignment of its operations to enhance organizational synergy as well as the elevation of talent from within to lead in new ways.

Effective June 29, 2024, the organization shifted from its previous eight operations departments to establish three business verticals – Housing and Operations, Finance and Resource Development. Three current leaders were also promoted to expanded roles as part of the organizational change. This shift is facilitated by the new Atlanta Habitat President and CEO, Rosalyn Merrick, who was promoted from her previous role as chief operations officer in May.

“Now more than ever, I understand the power and importance of strategic alignment and investing in the people who carry our mission forward,” said Merrick, who has held three senior leadership roles since joining Atlanta Habitat in November 2020. “In partnership with the executive leadership team, we envisioned a path forward that leverages the deep knowledge, talent and capacity among us to transform even more lives.”

Changing the trajectory for generations of families through home ownership is at the heart of the Atlanta Habitat mission. As one of the largest affiliates of Habitat for Humanity International, Atlanta Habitat operates as an affordable home builder, financial institution and resource hub for working families who have traditionally been squeezed out of home ownership opportunities.

Strategic Synergy

Three department leaders were promoted to expanded roles to better support a shared vision for Atlanta Habitat.

Twenty-two-year Atlanta Habitat veteran Jim Blackstone joins the executive leadership team as the senior vice president of Housing and Operations and will report to the CEO. In his role, Jim will lead Housing and Land Development, Neighborhood Engagement, Brush with Kindness, Repair with Kindness, and Warehouse and Facilities. During his tenure, Jim has served in various capacities related to home construction.

Elevating Blackstone to a senior vice president role provides an opportunity to promote Brian Findley, formerly the director of Site Planning and Design, to the role of vice president of Housing

and Land Development. In this role, Findley will now lead Construction as well as Site Planning and Design.

Melissa Klein, formerly the director of Family Services, has been promoted to the role of vice president of Homeowner Services where she will lead mortgage services, home purchase, repair and aging in place and all education programming. Klein and her team will be part of the Finance department led by Chief Financial Officer Joe Lessard who has served Atlanta Habitat since 2014.

Chief Development Officer Candice Jordan will continue to lead the organization’s revenue growth efforts which now includes oversight of its two ReStore operations. With storefront locations in downtown Atlanta and South Fulton, the ReStore is a nonprofit home goods retailer that sells donated merchandise to generate revenue for Atlanta Habitat. Bringing all resource-generating functions of Atlanta Habitat together is a strategic opportunity to drive growth by aligning marketing, branding as well as donor cultivation and stewardship best practices.

Emerging Leaders

“I have had the privilege of working with these talented, passionate leaders who embody the Atlanta Habitat mission every day, and I am grateful to serve alongside them,” said Merrick. “We have work to do, and I am enthusiastic about the positive impact these updates will have on our collective ability to transform even more lives.”

Atlanta Habitat is an experienced partner, builder, lender and neighbor with more than 40 years of experience making home ownership possible for working families. To learn more, visit www.atlantahabitat.org.