• Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Mail
  • Español
Habitat for Humanity
  • What We Do
      • Homeownership
      • Build and Rehab Homes
      • Veterans Program
      • Neighborhood Engagement
      • We Believe in You

        Start building your dream

  • ReStore
      • About ReStore
      • Locations & Hours
      • Remodeling?
      • ReBuild, ReNew, ReStore

        Less waste, more long-term housing

  • About
      • About Habitat Kent
      • History
      • Team & Board Members
      • Work At Habitat
      • Resources
      • Find out more

        Building homes, growing communities

  • Connect
      • Blog
      • Events
      • Contact Us
      • We’re Here To Help

        Hammering down problems, nailing down solutions

  • Donate
    • Donate Now
    • Monthly Giving
    • Planned Giving
    • Sponsorship Opportunities
    • Donate Household Items
    • Cars for Homes
  • Get Involved
    • Volunteer
    • Women of Habitat Kent
  • Menu Menu

Habitat Kent Welcomes Bev Thiel as New Executive Director

May 20, 2019/1 Comment/in Habitat Kent News/by Kristin Rahn-Tiemeyer

GRAND RAPIDS, Michigan, May 20, 2019 — Habitat for Humanity of Kent County has named experienced nonprofit leader Beverly Thiel as its new executive director.

Thiel brings more than 25 years of nonprofit experience and a strong leadership track record to the executive director role at Habitat Kent. She brings extensive expertise in organizational development, donor relations, operations and fiscal management to the organization. She succeeds outgoing Executive Director BriAnne McKee, who is relocating to Boise, Idaho with her family.

Thiel begins her work with Habitat Kent at the end of May.

“We can’t imagine someone better prepared than Bev to continue leading Habitat Kent and its transformative impact in Grand Rapids,” said Habitat Kent Board Chair Mark Mossing. “Her past experience of elevating nonprofit organizations will be an invaluable asset to the organization as we set our sights on strengthening not just individual families, but entire neighborhoods.

“We also want to extend our deep appreciation to Bri McKee, who has been a driving force in the growth and change of Habitat Kent. Under her leadership for the past four years, we have set a new standard for community engagement and collaboration, developed new, innovative strategies to increase access to affordable homeownership, and have earned increased financial support. We wish Bri and her family well in this next exciting chapter.”

Thiel most recently served as executive director of Starlight Ministries, a Grand Rapids-based nonprofit that provides opportunities for those who are grieving a death to experience a safe environment of caring support that promotes healing and hope. In this role, she led growth initiatives for the organization, including positioning Starlight to accelerate grant writing and funding, developing new diversity, equity and inclusion programming, establishing board processes and procedures to strengthen its foundation.

Prior to joining Habitat Kent, Thiel spent 21 years in various leadership roles at YMCA branches in Michigan and Indiana. During her tenure in West Michigan, she was responsible for leading hundreds of staff and volunteers, fundraising and community partnership efforts. Additionally, she oversaw construction and facilities management, programming development, fundraising and capital campaigns, stakeholder engagement, diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives and community partnerships.

Thiel will take the helm at Habitat Kent during an exciting time for the organization, which recently launched the public phase of its largest capital campaign to date. The Bright Future Campaign represents a new standard of innovation, neighborhood engagement and impact for Habitat Kent with a goal of investing in 400 homes and raising $9 million in three years.

The centerpiece of this campaign is Plaza Roosevelt, a 5.5-acre site in the Roosevelt Park neighborhood where Habitat Kent is bringing together eight other local organizations to bring improved housing, expanded healthcare, education and economic opportunities to the neighborhood. Habitat Kent is currently building the first seven of 17 Habitat homes planned for the sit. Grand Rapids Public Schools has already broken ground on the new high school at Plaza Roosevelt.

“I am excited about working alongside the dedicated and motivated team at Habitat Kent – along with so many passionate neighbors and supporters – to continue building homes, communities and hope in Kent County,” Thiel said. “Throughout my career, I have been fortunate to work with organizations that focus on community building.

“I very much see my role as continuing to build on the strong foundation that Bri and her team have established. I look forward to the journey that lies ahead.”

Share this entry
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share on WhatsApp
  • Share on Pinterest
  • Share on LinkedIn
  • Share on Tumblr
  • Share on Vk
  • Share on Reddit
  • Share by Mail
https://www.habitatkent.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/H4H_Kent_Logo.png 0 0 Kristin Rahn-Tiemeyer https://www.habitatkent.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/H4H_Kent_Logo.png Kristin Rahn-Tiemeyer2019-05-20 14:16:362020-03-02 12:41:36Habitat Kent Welcomes Bev Thiel as New Executive Director
1 reply
  1. Jeff Terpstra
    Jeff Terpstra says:
    May 21, 2019 at 10:38 am

    Congratulations Habitat Kent and Bev! We are very grateful and excited for your bright future!

Comments are closed.

Latest News

  • Turning a House into a Home: Linda’s Story January 5, 2023
  • “A Safe Place to Call Our Own” December 15, 2022
  • Work with a Purpose : Celebrating Bill and his 21 Years of Service! December 13, 2022
  • 19 households become homeowners with your help: annual impact report 2022 November 18, 2022
  • Quanette’s Homeownership Journey September 27, 2022

Upcoming Events

There are no upcoming events at this time.

Instagram

No images available at the moment

Follow Me!

Search

A Home Can Change Lives

Seeking to put God’s love into action, Habitat for Humanity of Kent County brings people together to build homes, communities and hope.

  • Main Office:

    425 Pleasant St. SW
    Grand Rapids, MI 49503
    (616) 774-2431

  • Main Office Hours:

    Monday – Thursday: 10am – 2pm*

    *Visits at all other times are by appointment only.

  • ReStore South: Division

    5701 Division Ave S
    Wyoming, MI 49548
    (616) 531-4591

  • ReStore North: Alpine

    5920 Alpine Ave NW
    Comstock Park, MI 49321
    (616) 647-9292

  • ReStore Hours:

    Monday-Friday: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
    Saturday: 10:00 am – 4:00 pm

  • ReStore Donation Drop-Off Hours:

    **PLEASE NOTE: DONATION HOURS CURRENTLY VARY DUE TO STAFFING

    Monday-Friday: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
    Saturday: 10:00 am – 3:00 pm

Copyright © 2023. All rights reserved. Site by CurlyHost.
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
New Beginnings Community Invests $9M in Affordable Housing with Habitat for Humanity
Scroll to top

Interested in this house? Get a pre-qualification letter from a participating mortgage lender participating within our program requirements:

  • Mercantile Bank, Staci Nichols
  • Choice One Bank, Bonnie Potter
  • Mortgage 1, Dan Grzywacz , or
  • Click here to see a list of MHSDA-approved lenders

Veteran Homeownership Application Request

Home Repair Wait List

Group Interest Survey

  • Habitat for Humanity of Kent County provides a variety of volunteer opportunities which can vary depending on the group size, age restrictions, season and general availability. Construction opportunities are full day commitments. Should you prefer a partial day activity or volunteers to work in shifts you will be scheduled for specific tasks or in one of our 3 ReStore locations.
  • Age restrictions apply to certain projects and will be enforced. Most tasks require volunteers to be at least 16 years old. Specific jobs may allow other ages. These restrictions will be indicated by a member of the volunteer services department when a date is offered.
  • Please acknowledge that you understand groups may not be confirmed until 30-60 DAYS PRIOR TO THE DATE AGREED UPON by our volunteer services department. Due to the volume of requests for volunteer opportunities, we will ask that you agree/disagree to the date we offer within a week’s time (unless otherwise noted in our email). This ensures we can look for an alternative date if necessary and place you within a timely fashion.
  • After the completed form is submitted expect to be contacted by a member of our volunteer services department within one week.