Dear Friends,
Immediately following my retirement announcement, the Habitat for Humanity of Douglas County Board of Directors undertook a thorough and thoughtful search for its next Executive Director.
On behalf of myself and the entire Board, we are pleased to announce that Christine Reilly has been selected to lead the organization into its next chapter.
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Through the extensive search for our next Executive Director, Christine stood out as a visionary, grounded leader with a strategic mind, relational style, and deep alignment with Habitat’s mission.
Her appointment reflects the confidence of the Board as well as the overwhelming support she received from colleagues, partners, and community members through nominations during the search process.
Christine is the current Director of Development for Habitat and brings deep knowledge of the affiliate, our programs, our supporters, and most importantly, our community. Christine is a longtime Alexandria resident with strong community ties and is deeply invested in the continued success of the local Habitat affiliate.
She brings previous experience as a nonprofit leader that has overseen operations, fundraising, board engagement, community partnerships, and more. Her humility, presence, and commitment to service were evident throughout every interaction.
“My commitment to this community runs deep, and it is a true honor to be chosen to lead our local Habitat for Humanity affiliate. I have witnessed the transformative impact of Habitat's work in Douglas County and am dedicated to advancing its mission and expanding its reach,” shared Christine Reilly.
The Board and I are thrilled with and confident in this selection. We are thankful to Angie Krebs, Rick Sansted, Jeff Hohn, Tony Loosbrock, and Bonsai Leadership Group for leading the search. As Habitat enters a new era of growth and opportunity, we believe Christine is exceptionally well-equipped to guide the organization through the transitions and challenges ahead.
In the coming months, Habitat for Humanity of Douglas County will undergo a smooth and intentional leadership transition, as I formally pass the torch to Christine Reilly.
Please join us in welcoming Christine to her new role!
With gratitude, Lori Anderson
A retirement celebration to honor the 21+ year legacy of Lori Anderson will be held on September 17, 2025, from 4-6 pm at the Legacy of the Lakes boathouse. The public is invited to attend the event.
Habitat extends our deepest gratitude to Lori for her 21 years of leadership, dedication, and service. She has been a mentor, a community builder, and a true embodiment of Habitat’s values. Lori will always be a cherished part of the Habitat family.
A Two+ Decade Legacy of Transformational Leadership
As a steadfast advocate for affordable housing, Lori’s journey with Habitat is a testament to her resilience, adaptability, and passion for her work. Angie Krebs, current Habitat board chair, aptly remarked, "In our community, Lori is known for her strong relationships with donors, community leaders, and volunteers. Her work has been instrumental in helping 196 families realize their dream of homeownership and countless others improve their living situation. Lori’s servant leadership and dedication to the organization perfectly exemplify Habitat’s mission.”
Hired in 2004, Lori began her career with Habitat as the first part-time employee of the affiliate. Tasked with bold initiatives that transformed the organization, her early contributions were instrumental in establishing Habitat’s core values and operational standards, ultimately strengthening the organization’s capacity.
Under Lori’s leadership, Habitat for Humanity of Douglas County has
- Increased the number of families served annually from one to thirty,
- Grew the volunteer base from 30 to over 700 annual volunteers,
- Opened the ReStore in 2014, a nonprofit home improvement store and donation center that sells new and gently used items, with proceeds supporting affordable housing,
- Developed the Aging in Place program in 2017, which grew from 5 to over 25 projects annually,
- Increased the Habitat team from one part-time person to 11 full-time and four part-time team members, and,
- Developed Habitat’s first affordable housing development in Alexandria, Summer Meadows, which will provide 42 single-family homes, securing partnerships with the City of Alexandria for Tax Increment Financing (TIF) and with USDA Rural Development which awarded Habitat a $1.6M Site Loan.
