Habitat for Humanity International is pleased to announce the election of Brad Hewitt as the new chair of its board of directors. Hewitt takes the reins of the global housing nonprofit’s board from Joe Price who is retiring after serving two terms as chair. The change in board leadership and retirement of other members took place at the body’s November meeting held in Merida, Mexico, this week.

“Habitat for Humanity is blessed to have so many illustrious leaders from around the world volunteer their service to our ministry,” said Jonathan Reckford, CEO of Habitat for Humanity International. “I’ve come to rely on Joe’s counsel and will miss his voice on the board. I am thrilled that Brad is stepping up to chair, building on his longstanding service through Habitat. I will rely greatly on his, and the rest of the board’s expertise, knowledge and skills as Habitat seeks to build a world where everyone has a decent place to live.”

Hewitt is the former president and CEO of Thrivent Financial. He began his career in finance with Securian in the actuarial services department in 1982. He later joined UnitedHealth Group where he held leadership roles including serving as director of underwriting. He subsequently served as both CFO and CEO of Diversified Pharmaceutical Services, a division of UnitedHealth Group. Hewitt later served as chief administrative officer of The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod in St. Louis, Missouri. Hewitt joined Thrivent in 2003, first as chief fraternal officer, then as COO in 2008 and CEO from 2010 to 2018. Hewitt is a native of Minneapolis and received his Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. He is also a graduate of the Harvard Graduate School of Business Program for Management Development.

“It has always been an honor to serve Habitat for Humanity, whether as a donor, working on a house, at a board meeting or now as board chair,” Hewitt said. “It is a privilege and a responsibility I take very seriously. Decent, affordable housing is a pressing need for society that thankfully Habitat is making a difference in around the world.”

Joe L. Price is retiring after serving two terms as chair of the board. Price is a partner at Falfurrias Capital Partners, a private equity firm based in Charlotte, N.C. Price previously held executive positions with Bank of America, including chief financial officer, global corporate and investment banking risk management executive, and president of consumer and small-business banking. Price has been a strong supporter of Habitat for Humanity International and served in many roles on its board of directors. He is also actively involved with Habitat for Humanity Charlotte in North Carolina. Price received a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, where he served as the chair of the board of trustees.

“It has been a privilege to serve the Habitat ministry,” Price said. “While my formal time as board chair has come to an end, Habitat will always be part of my family’s life. Whether it be with the local campus chapter, the Charlotte area affiliates or with the international teams, we will not stray from joining other passionate volunteers in helping to build decent affordable housing and thereby providing hope. I have no doubt that Habitat will continue to grow its voice and impact around the world.”

Joining Habitat’s board of directors is Christiana Smith Shi, former president of Nike, Inc. Global Direct-to-Consumer. Smith Shi joined Nike in 2010 and oversaw the global retail and e-commerce businesses for the company. Smith Shi is the founder and principal of Lovejoy Advisors in Portland. She previously spent 24 years with McKinsey & Company. Smith Shi has been a longtime supporter of Habitat for Humanity and has supported multiple Habitat projects including the Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project and Home is the Key, and has volunteered at Habitat builds in the United States and abroad. She is a graduate of Stanford University and holds a Master in Business Administration from Harvard University’s Graduate School of Business.

Bill Brand of St. Petersburg, Fla., and Mary Cameron of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, were reelected to serve as vice chairs of the board. Other reelected officials include Lisa Hall of Silver Spring, Md., as secretary; Kimberlee Cornett of Annapolis, Md., as treasurer; and Alexandre Gouvea of São Paulo, Brazil, as audit committee chair.

Two other members in addition to Price are retiring from Habitat’s board of directors: former president and CEO of Hilti North America Cary Evert of Arlington, Va., who served as treasurer, and philanthropist Mary Lynn Staley of Edina, Minn., who served as vice chair.

Habitat’s board of directors is responsible for establishing policy and guiding the organization’s efforts to build or improve affordable housing in partnership with families across the United States and in more than 70 countries around the world. Habitat board members serve for two-year terms that can be renewed up to four times.