Loveland Habitat for Humanity Executive Director Gwen Stephenson has been named Executive Director of the Year and been awarded the Annual Leadership Award by Habitat for Humanity of Colorado (HFHC). Stephenson received her award during the recent Camp Colorado Retreat attended by Habitat affiliates from four western states and their more than 260 team members.
Each year HFHC requests Executive Director of the Year nominations from a the Colorado, Wyoming, New Mexico and Wyoming affiliates, with the criteria being the fulfillment of a quote describing the nominees’ leadership qualities. This year’s quote, chosen by HFHC staff, came from Vince Lombardi: “Individual commitment to a group effort – that is what makes team work, a company work, a society work, a civilization work.”
Stephenson’s nominations came from Loveland Habitat staff, Board Members and other local non-profit leaders.
In accepting her award during a dinner ceremony at Camp Colorado, Stephenson said, “A leader is a nobody without the great people around them. I have the great honor of working with the best staff, volunteers, and Habitat folks there are. Without everyone working together, this organization would not have impacted the hundreds of families in Loveland, the thousands of families in Colorado and millions of families around the world!” She add that as a third-generation Coloradoan, she has seen numerous changes in the state, – especially in the area of affordable housing.
Prior to joining Loveland Habitat for Humanity as the ED in November of 2007, Stephenson served as the Executive Director of the House of Neighborly service for 7.5 years. She also served on the Loveland Habitat Board of Directors from 2002-2004.
