In homage to its founding story, Evergreen Habitat is excited to announce the adoption of a co-chief executive officers structure

VANCOUVER — Habitat for Humanity’s beginnings are rooted in partnership. Before the organization became globally recognized today, it was born from the fertile soil of Koinonia Farms in Georgia as “Partnership Housing” founded by a collaborative group of individuals: Millard and Linda Fuller, Clarence and Florence Jordan, and many more volunteers of Koinonia Farms. By the 1970s, the vision that everyone deserves a decent, safe, and affordable home grew into Habitat’s mission of bringing people together to build homes, communities, and hope. 

As Evergreen Habitat for Humanity continues to grow and serve more individuals and families across Clark County, collaboration among those with a shared vision remains key to the organization’s impact. In homage to its founding story, Evergreen Habitat is excited to announce the adoption of a co-chief executive officers structure. With this change, the organization is excited to announce Lindsi Smith, Evergreen Habitat’s chief operations officer, as the new Co-CEO leadership role alongside Josh Townsley.  

“We have been reflecting on our history and the legacy we want to leave behind, and we keep returning to the beginning story of Habitat,” says Townsley. “It became clear that honoring the roots of shared leadership is crucial to our future, and to lean into what ‘building together’ really means to us. This change is rooted in the best of what Habitat stands for: partnership, shared leadership, equity, and elevating women’s voices at every level of our mission. Lindsi has already been instrumental in growing our organization to where we are today, and I look forward to working together in the years to come.” 

“I’m deeply honored to step into this Co-CEO role, and even more honored to share it with Josh – someone who has inspired me, challenged me, supported me, and reminded me that together, we can build something truly unique and special.” says Smith. “Habitat has always been about partnership and showing up for each other, and this model is such a beautiful reflection of that. I’m so grateful, I’m humbled, and I’m very excited to be building this next chapter.” 

Ashley Infausto, Evergreen Habitat’s Board president, says, “Habitat has always been about people coming together in unity, shared leadership, and the belief that when we lift each other up, we all rise together. By moving forward with a shared leadership structure, it allows us to work together in the shared vision to make the organization even better.” 

Evergreen Habitat attributes its growth and impact to the result of meaningful partnerships forged over the years. From dedicated volunteers to committee members to contractors to committed staff members, every hand involved is a testament to the legacy built when bringing people together.