Habitat for Humanity of Cape Cod President and CEO Wendy Cullinan will retire at the end of the year after 14 years with the organization, according to a community announcement. The nonprofit's board has named Tara Cronin, the current director of Resource Development, as its next president and CEO beginning in January.
Cullinan spent seven years as president and CEO after serving seven years as director of Resource Development. During her tenure, Habitat for Humanity of Cape Cod said it completed 50 affordable homes and expanded its pipeline of housing developments across the Cape.
The organization said Cullinan guided Habitat through the COVID-19 pandemic while maintaining operations, retaining staff and continuing construction projects for local families.
"It has been the honor of my career to serve Habitat for Humanity of Cape Cod and the families we have the privilege to partner with," Cullinan said. "I am incredibly proud of what our staff, volunteers, board members, donors, and community partners have accomplished together over the past 14 years. I know the organization is in excellent hands with Tara, and I look forward to seeing Habitat continue to grow and change lives for years to come."
Current projects include a 14-home neighborhood in North Falmouth, a six-home development in Yarmouth and a seven-home neighborhood in Orleans.
Cronin has worked for Habitat for Humanity of Cape Cod for nine years and currently oversees fundraising, marketing, donor relations and community engagement as director of Resource Development.
Previously, she served as volunteer and community relations manager, where Habitat said she expanded volunteer participation and strengthened partnerships with local businesses, schools, civic organizations and faith communities.
"Wendy's visionary leadership over the past 14 years has left an indelible mark on our organization and transformed our ability to serve families across Cape Cod," Board Chair Peter Kimball said. "While we will deeply miss her daily presence, the Board is pleased to appoint Tara Cronin as our next president & CEO."
Habitat officials said several initiatives launched during Cullinan's leadership helped support the organization's growth, including the Deconstruction Program, also known as the Cabinet Removal Service, and two fundraising events: the Home in One Golf Tournament and The Ride for Homes.
The nonprofit also secured a $2 million MassHousing Neighborhood Stabilization Program grant for its North Falmouth development. It was the largest single-project grant in the affiliate's history.
Habitat for Humanity of Cape Cod has built nearly 200 homes from Bourne to Provincetown and recently completed eight homes in Dennis and Wellfleet. Additional projects are planned in Brewster, Falmouth, Pocasset, Yarmouth, Marstons Mills, Orleans and North Falmouth.
Future homeowners are selected through a drawing process and help build their homes alongside volunteers before purchasing them with affordable mortgages. Habitat said all of its homes remain affordable through permanent deed restrictions.
Supporters can learn more or donate at habitatcapecod.org or by mail at 411 Main St., Suite 6, Yarmouth Port, MA 02675.
This story was created with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at cm.usatoday.com/ethical-conduct.
This article originally appeared on wickedlocal.com: Habitat for Humanity of Cape Cod CEO to retire