Habitat For Humanity Of Waukesha County Names New CEO

Press release from Habitat for Humanity of Waukesha County:

March 31, 2021

Melissa E. Songco has been named the CEO for the Habitat for Humanity of Waukesha County (Habitat Waukesha) by the Board of Directors, effective April 12, 2021. Songco will be responsible for continuing Habitat Waukesha’s mission – seeking to put God’s love into action by bringing people together to build homes, communities, and hope – and working toward the organization’s vision to live in a world where everyone has a decent place to live.

Songco, who has nearly a a decade of prior Habitat work experience has also held leadership roles at some of the region’s largest nonprofit organizations, including Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee and Junior Achievement of Wisconsin. She will replace outgoing CEO, Michael Crowley.

“We are delighted to welcome Melissa Songco to lead our affiliate,” said Aaron Melnarik, President of the Board for Habitat Waukesha. “Melissa has a demonstrated track record as a successful nonprofit leader. Her enthusiasm for the mission of Habitat and expertise in philanthropy and community development will help us grow to serve more families in the years to come.”

“I want to express my sincere gratitude to acting CEO Sara Clark who will continue as Director of Operations for the affiliate. Sara is an integral member of our team and did an exceptional job leading Habitat Waukesha during this transition,” said Melnarik. “We are really excited to see what Melissa, Sara, and the rest of the Habitat team will accomplish together. In addition, I want to express my gratitude to the Board of Directors who worked tirelessly to find a CEO as qualified as Melissa.”

“I am thrilled to be coming back home to Habitat for Humanity,” said Songco. “The mission and ministry of affordable housing is more important now than ever and is deeply rooted in who I am. Working with staff, volunteers, stakeholders, and partner families will be my greatest honor.”

Songco first worked with Habitat for Humanity in 2003 as a volunteer, traveling to Zambia on the first of many Global Village Trips. Songco later served as the Development Director at the Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity for six years. Despite the economic housing recession, she led Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity in raising its highest amount of private and public funds ever. Her outstanding work was recognized by the Milwaukee Business Journal, which honored Songco as one of its “40 Under 40” award recipients in 2013.

Most recently, Songco served as the Senior Director of Development and Stewardship for the Junior Achievement of Wisconsin (JA) Southeast Wisconsin Region, where she led philanthropy, marketing, and public relations. Songco was instrumental in helping JA navigate the recent COVID-19 pandemic and re-imagine philanthropy and programming amidst a global health and education crisis.

“I am excited to serve the Waukesha County community and help make a great organization even greater,” said Songco. “I am grateful to Sara Clark and look forward to working with her and the staff on the upcoming Women Build, the development of a home repair program, and other important initiatives.”

Women Build is a month-long event empowers women of all ages, backgrounds, and industries to come together to develop and expand the skills of women – all while building a home for a local family. Habitat Waukesha is currently seeking sponsors for the project.

Songco earned her undergraduate degree in Social Welfare & Justice from Marquette University and master’s degree in Urban Studies and Nonprofit Management from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. She is married to Dr. David Songco, a psychologist, and they live in Milwaukee with their two daughters, Daphne, age five, and Ruby, age two.

This press release was produced by Habitat for Humanity of Waukesha County. The views expressed here are the author's own.