Jennifer C. Thomason
Nonprofit
Jennifer Thomason is a master at donning many hats, all with a confident authentic “Wonder Woman” leadership style that is robust in passion and purpose. Her swagger is brisk yet steady, focused yet open to possibilities and deliberate yet pivot-savvy.
“Being tapped President & CEO of Habitat for Humanity of South Palm Beach County this year was the fulfillment of a life-long aspiration, to lead a premier nonprofit and operate it as a small business,” says Thomason, a 20-year veteran in nonprofit strategic planning, development and donor cultivation.
Ever since she donned a pink hard hat as a volunteer to help “raise a roof” during Habitat’s Annual Women Build experiential fundraiser, Thomason has been smitten with the nonprofit’s mission of bringing people together to build homes, communities and hope in South Palm Beach County by fostering strength, stability and self-reliance through shelter. Habitat depends upon volunteer labor and tax-deductible donations of money, materials, services, property and revenue from its ReStores to fulfill its mission.
Thomason wants everyone to understand that Habitat provides a “hand up, never a handout.” Those who move into Habitat homes must put in hundreds of “sweat equity” volunteer hours, save money for a down payment and increase their credit score to qualify for a Habitat zero-interest mortgage.
“Habitat Partner Families also receive 100 hours of financial/homeowner literacy so that they are prepared to protect their investment and venture above and beyond where they have been stuck for many years,” she says. “Even more important is that Habitat homes give children the stability they need to thrive. They no longer have to worry about where they will live or go to school.”
Thomason is working to well-position Habitat fiscally to purchase land, not just wait for municipality land donations that are becoming rarer. “I’m not sure where, when or how, but there are options out there and I’m focused on finding that pathway,” she says.
Also, she notes, “As land runs out, we must focus on neighborhoods we already serve. This includes anything from sprucing up and repairing neglected homes and addressing safety issues in neighborhoods to education and fellowship.”
Habitat for Humanity of South Palm Beach County, 181 S.E. 5th Ave., Delray Beach, FL 33483, 561-819-6070, habitatsouthpalmbeach.org
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