Mel Hatfield is a born creative and dynamic entrepreneur. With a career spanning over three decades, she has established herself as a powerhouse in interior design, relationship building, and strategic business development. Mel has an uncompromising passion for community and affordable homeownership. 

In her role, Mel will support Habitat for Humanity’s mission by driving strategic growth, building community partnerships, and identifying new opportunities to serve homebuyers. Through community engagement and cultivating long-term relationships for workforce housing, Mel will ensure families and individuals achieve homeownership in Kent and Northern Muskegon Counties. A key part of her work will be meeting with local businesses to help them connect their employees to homeownership opportunities.  

Mel spent over four years as the Business Development Specialist at Williams Distributing. In this role, she acted as a key link between architects, designers, and builders, driving brand awareness for industry-leading products in the HVAC, Kitchen & Bath, Hearth, Plumbing and Garage Door sectors.  

A graduate of Kendall College of Art and Design, Mel holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Environmental Design, with a focus on Interior and Furniture Design. 

Mel is no stranger to our mission. She accompanied her mother, a passionate Habitat advocate, to Habitat meetings during her senior year of high school, which sparked her own dedication to environmental stewardship. She recalls researching, sketching, and creating floor plans for future Habitat homes in her architecture classes. Mel has been involved in Women of Habitat Kent since 2021, where she continues to provide leadership as a Council Member. 

When we asked Mel: What is something fun or unexpected about you? 

• I’ve seen U2 in concert nine times 

• I intend to skydive at some point in my life 

• My daughter is a high school math teacher, my son is a Walker policeman, and I have two beautiful grandchildren 

• I have a 1971 baby blue VW Beetle Bug 

• I love Jesus, and because of him, my life is full 

We’re excited to welcome Mel to the team. Her passion, vision, and unwavering commitment to community will strengthen our work and transform lives in Kent and Northern Muskegon Counties.