Rebuilding Together Announces New VP of Affiliate Services Susan Hawfield

WASHINGTON, DC – January 10, 2014 – Today, Rebuilding Together, a national nonprofit with a vision of a safe and healthy home for every person, announced that after an extensive nationwide search, it has selected Susan Hawfield as vice president of Affiliate Services, effectively immediately. As the vice president of Affiliate Services, Hawfield will be responsible for the development and oversight of programs and services that support the health, sustainability, growth and success of the Rebuilding Together affiliate network.

“We are thrilled to welcome Susan in her new role and we look forward to her continued leadership,” said Rebuilding Together President and CEO Charley Shimanski. “We chose Susan on the basis of experience as a dedicated leader both in our national office and in the field. She knows what it takes, and she has what it takes to run a successful affiliate. Her experience and expertise are invaluable to our mission.”

As someone who has been involved with Rebuilding Together in several capacities over the course of more than 14 years, Hawfield is uniquely positioned to serve the organization’s affiliate network. She began working at Rebuilding Together’s national office in 1999 as a program associate. By 2002, Hawfield had been promoted to program services director. She then left the national office to work in the field at Rebuilding Together’s Montgomery County, Md. affiliate as their program services director. She was elected executive director in 2006. She served on Rebuilding Together’s National Affiliate Council as a regional representative, and was elected to serve as secretary, then chair. In this position, she also served on Rebuilding Together’s national board of directors. Hawfield returned to the national office in May 2013 to serve as a senior director after being at Rebuilding Together Montgomery County for nine years.

“I look forward to continuing to work with the affiliate network to serve homeowners in need,” Hawfield said. “Every day, we come to work with an image of someone who inspires us. Each of us has a story, something that drives us in this work. I am grateful that I have had the opportunity to build a career around my passion.”

Hawfield has served on the Washington Adventist Hospital Corporate Sponsorship Board, is a graduate of Leadership Montgomery County and has served in many positions of leadership on the governing board of her church’s congregation. She is a Certified Aging in Place Specialist (CAPS), a designation by the National Association of Home Builders. Prior to working for Rebuilding Together, she held several positions in Information Systems at both the Highway Loss Data Institute and GEICO. She received her B.A. in Psychology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

“Well respected by her community, staff and peers, Susan is a strong leader that brings out the best in those around her,” Shimanski added.

About Rebuilding Together:

Rebuilding Together is a Safe and Healthy Housing organization that believes Community Starts at Home. Our focus provides critical repairs, accessibility modifications and energy efficient upgrades to low-income homes and community centers at no cost to service recipients. Our impact extends beyond the individuals served to revitalize and stabilize vulnerable neighborhoods and communities across the country. Our 187 local affiliates complete more than 10,000 rebuild projects a year thanks to the efforts of 100,000 volunteers from corporate partners, skilled trades professionals and everyday good citizens. Join us — visit www.RebuildingTogether.org.

Media Contact:

Linley Beckbridge
Specialist, Affiliate Communications
202.518.3106
lbeckbridge@rebuildingtogether.org