about us

Our Board & Staff

The heart of Habitat is our people.

We are curious, passionate people who take risks and initiative to address a complex social issue – housing, and, in so doing, we make a transformational difference in our own lives and the lives of others. We strive to be creative, inclusive, and fun, celebrating the shared humanity that unites us.

Leadership Team

Jaime G. Gomez

CEO

Jaime G. Gomez joined Habitat for Humanity of Metro Denver in July 2023, bringing more than 20 years of experience in the affordable housing industry. Before Habitat, he served as Deputy Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer at the Colorado Housing and Finance Authority (CHFA), where he helped lead statewide strategic housing initiatives and had oversight of the organization’s single-family, multifamily, and economic development lending functions. Gomez has also served in various banking and financial roles, including as managing examiner for the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City (Denver Branch) and as director of finance and business development for the Colorado Office of Economic Development under Governor Romer.

Gomez has had a longstanding relationship with Habitat for Humanity of Metro Denver, serving as a board member from 2012-2017 and as chair of the board’s finance and audit committee from 2015-2017. He currently serves as chairman of the board of Mercy Community Capital (CDFI), board member at Housing Colorado, and voting member of the Governor’s Financial Review Committee. He earned his Bachelor of Finance from the University of Colorado in Boulder.

Dana Griffin

Senior VP, People & Culture

Dana Griffin joined the Human Resources department of Habitat for Humanity of Metro Denver in April 2015 after nearly twenty years of operations and people management experience in the for-profit education sector. Dana has served as the Human Resources Manager – ReStores, the Director of Retail Operations, and the Director of Human Resources and Risk Management, prior to being promoted to the role of Vice President.

As the VP of People and Culture, Dana oversees the organization’s equity work, volunteer and employee engagement, and human resources and safety functions. Dana graduated from the University of Rochester (NY) with a degree in Psychology and a secondary education teaching certification.

Victor Hernandez

Senior VP, Finance and Administration

Victor Hernandez joined Habitat for Humanity of Metro Denver in October 2022, after having served as Director of Accounting at Urban Land Conservancy. He brings a diverse background with over 25 years of affordable housing and accounting experience. Victor has worked in affordable housing at the national, state and local levels. Before joining ULC, Victor was a manager at a public accounting firm, which specialized in accounting and fund administration for private equity firms. Victor holds a Bachelor of Science from Cornell University and a Masters of Accountancy from Texas State University. Victor is a certified public accountant licensed in Colorado and Texas.

Jay Middleton

VP of ReStores

Jay worked worked at Recreational Equipment Inc. for over 20 years before following his dream of joining the nonprofit sector and leading the Habitat for Humanity ReStores across Metro Denver. In his time in the corporate sector, Jay specialized in managing and developing teams and processes. He opened the REI store in Asheville, NC and was nominated for the REI Leadership Award. In 2014, he relocated to Lakewood, CO, and ran the REI store there until 2020. Jay maintains a great passion for the outdoors and loves to support the growth of teams and individuals. In his free time, Jay works on several side advocacy projects, rides his bike in the foothills and mountains of Colorado and works with his new Great Dane puppy on being a little bit better behaved.

Lori Pidick

Chief Development Officer​

Lori Pidick joined Habitat for Humanity of Metro Denver as the Chief Development Officer in 2016 and oversees the organization’s fundraising and communications. Lori has over 20 years of experience in both development and marketing communications roles in both for-profit and non-profit industries. Previously she worked in development at the Public Education & Business Coalition (PEBC), Central City Opera, and the Denver Museum of Nature & Science, and in various marketing roles for Verizon Wireless. Lori holds an MBA from Georgetown University and graduated from Brown University with a double major in Economics and International Relations.

Department Leadership

Fundraising

Natalie Mesko

Senior Director of Leadership Giving
720-380-1720

Jeanne Fischetti

Senior Director of Sponsorships
720-496-2713

Rita Mohler

Major Gifts Officer
303-597-1681

Communications & Administration

Laura Willetto

Director of Communications + Marketing
720-798-5225

Rachel Bailey

Data Administration Director
720-382-1721

Homeowner Services

Lauren Hughes

Director of Homeownership Programs
720-798-5240

Katie Bartholomew

Homeowner Eligibility Supervisor
720-339-4191

Alex Gonzalez

Director of Mortgage Operations
303-534-2727

Real Estate

Kate Hilberg

Senior Director of Real Estate Development
720-496-2720

Kory Whitaker

Director of Real Estate
720-496-2729, extension 329

Construction

Colleen Mentz

Director of New Construction
720-496-2728, extension 328

Burke Curtis

Director of Home Preservation Programs
720-496-2704, extension 161

Brian Johnson

Senior Manager - Construction Support
720-360-4363, extension 160

Grants

Debbie Hughes​

Director of Government Grants and Compliance​
303-996-5468

Technology

Byron Largent

Director of IT
720-496-2727

Volunteer Engagement

Nicole StanekScott

Director of Engagement
720-496-2724

ReStore

DJ Hagerman

Director of ReStore Operations
303-722-5863

Board of Directors

The Habitat for Humanity of Metro Denver Board of Directors upholds our mission and ensures the vitality and sustainability of our organization. The board is comprised of 20-25 members who represent the Denver Metropolitan Area and who come from diverse geographic, racial, ethnic, economic, religious, professional, and leadership backgrounds. The leaders who compose our board are critical to Habitat’s success and the impact of our work in the community.

2024 Officers

Chair
Gail Fritzinger

Career Transition Coach

Vice Chair
Kevin J. Kanouff

President and CEO
Statebridge Company

Treasurer
Janet Colley

President and Owner
Summit Management Company, LLC

Secretary
Sarah J. Auchterlonie

Shareholder
Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck LLP

Assistant Treasurer
John Romero

SVP, Senior Relationship Strategist
PNC Private Bank

Assistant Secretary
Lindsay L. McKae

Partner
Lewis Roca Rothgerber Christie LLP

Had Beatty

Director Emeritus

Members

Amy Cara

Managing Partner
East West Partners

Ivette Dominguez Drawe

Dealer/President
Alpine Group

The Rev. Dr. Eugene Downing

Lead Pastor
New Hope Baptist Church

John E. Freyer Jr.

President
Land Title Guarantee Company

Kevin Garrow

Director, Senior Lead Relationship Manager
Wells Fargo Government Banking

Michelle Jones

President & Founder
Brdzwork LLC

Amy Latham

Chief Impact Officer
The Colorado Health Foundation

Melissa Millan

VP, Renovations & Turns
Home Partners of America

Naiely Miranda

Assistant Branch Manager
Southwest Funding LP

Farhana Morales

Sr. Manager Corporate Responsibility, ESG
Target

Peter M. Pendergast

Senior Vice President of Sales & Marketing
Sea-Land Chemical Company

Jeff Popiel

President & CEO
Geotech Environmental Equipment, Inc.

Marijn Smit

President & CEO
Transamerica Asset Management

Arleen Taniwaki

Principal
ArLand Land Use Economics

Herbert Vogel

President + CEO
SM Energy