Habitat for Humanity Michigan Executive Receives top Industry Award at Building Michigan Communities
Sandra Pearson, industry leaders honored
LANSING, MICH. – (RealEstateRama) — Sandra Pearson, president and CEO of Habitat for Humanity Michigan, was named this year’s Duvernay Award winner at the Building Michigan Communities Conference (BMCC).
Pearson was honored during a luncheon awards ceremony at the conference, which began Monday and wraps up Wednesday at the Lansing Center.
The Duvernay Award is named for the late Terrence R. Duvernay, a pioneer in affordable housing who served as executive director of MSHDA. The award is chosen by a committee of past recipients and goes to a person who reflects the ideals and personal qualities of Duvernay.
Pearson has been with Habitat for Humanity Michigan for eight years, first as Chief Operating Officer and as President and CEO since 2010. In the eight years she has been with Habitat for Humanity Michigan, she has provided leadership in implementing the strategic priorities of the board of directors, including energy efficient building, a shift into home repair and home rehabilitation and neighborhood revitalization.
“Upon receiving the call with the news that I was being extended this honor, I couldn’t
believe it,” Pearson said. “Any work I have accomplished has been the result of care and hard work of countless people.”
Other awards presented during the luncheon include:
Community Economic Development Advocate of the Year
Nancy Finegood, Lansing Executive Director, Michigan Historic Preservation Network
Awarded by CEDAM
Community Economic Development Leader of the Year
Lansing Office of Financial Empowerment
Awarded by CEDAM
Michigan Foreclosure Prevention Corps Host Site of the Year
Inner City Christian Federation
Awarded by CEDAM
The Corrie Bair Building Inclusive Communities Award
Paul Ecklund, Disability Rights Advocate, Disability Network Southwest Michigan
Awarded by CEDAM
Community Spirit Award
Clint Todd, Vice President, Retail Lending, Community Shores Bank – Muskegon
Awarded by Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis
Affiliate of the Year
Habitat for Humanity Capital Region
Awarded by Habitat for Humanity Michigan
Housing Education Program Agency of the Year
Bay Area Housing, Inc.
Awarded by MSHDA
Housing Education Program Counselor of the Year
Jessica Rivard, Bay Area Housing
Awarded by MSHDA
Housing Education Program Counselor of the Year
Roxane Hiler, Inner City Christian Federation
Teresa Torres, Southwest Solutions
Barb Stricker, Northwest Michigan Community Action Agency
Awarded by MSHDA
Other conference highlights include hosting country music singer/songwriter and author Jimmy Wayne on Monday afternoon and an evening reception recognizing MSHDA’s 50th anniversary where the department unveiled a new brand. Wayne is a former foster kid whose songs and story highlight his mission to bring awareness to kids who age out of the foster system and become homeless.
Celebrating its 18th year, the BMCC brings together individuals from across the state working to create and preserve affordable housing, serve the homeless and revitalize downtowns and neighborhoods.
The Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) provides financial and technical assistance through public and private partnerships to create and preserve decent, affordable housing for low- and moderate-income residents and to engage in community economic development activities to revitalize urban and rural communities.*
*MSHDA’s loans and operating expenses are financed through the sale of tax-exempt and taxable bonds as well as notes to private investors, not from state tax revenues. Proceeds are loaned at below-market interest rates to developers of rental housing, and help fund mortgages and home improvement loans. MSHDA also administers several federal housing programs. For more information, visit www.michigan.gov/mshda.
Contact:
Misty Miller
517-373-1858
