One of Heather Lafferty’s favorite places is her home. In the Denver metro area Lafferty, executive director and CEO of Habitat for Humanity of Metro Denver, is bringing communities together to ensure everyone has a safe place to call home.

Under Lafferty’s direction, Habitat’s housing production has tripled in comparison to the previous two decades. Not only does Habitat serve 600 local families, but it’s also sponsored the construction of more than 750 Habitat homes worldwide. Lafferty leveraged her network through the Livingston Fellowship, which she was awarded in 2013, to participate in broader regional and global conversations about housing and urban development. Lafferty has advanced topics and solutions on issues that impact nearly half the world’s population living on less than $2.50 per day.

Lafferty is a visionary. When most people would consider their work done, she continues to ask, “How can we do more?” This question led to a collaborative expansion of Habitat’s programs with the Neighborhood Revitalization Program in Denver’s Globeville neighborhood.

“When ordinary people with big hearts come together, that’s how we solve the tough problems,” Lafferty said.

The program is dedicated to enhancing the lives of community members through a wide array of services and critical home repairs. A mere four years after the launch, the transformation of the Globeville community is evident. The property values are increasing and there is a sense of pride among the community members. Lafferty is building more than homes — she is propelling a movement to provide opportunities to communities that need them most.

As Lafferty’s compassion and dedication to the community continue to inspire everyone around her, she attributes her personal motivation to the people she works with, her family and the countless families who are still in need of a permanent home.

“When I think about the families and children still living in poverty, still in need of a safe place to go to at night, that’s what motivates me,” she said. “I work hard every day so that tomorrow can be even better.”

Lafferty’s vision, passion and ability to bridge the gap between diverse groups of people has positively impacted communities across Denver, and created ripple effects far beyond just the building of a house.

Lafferty has an accomplished résumé, and her leadership permeates through everything she does, said nominator Bill Fulton, the executive director for Civic Canopy.

He added: “[Lafferty] is helping to redefine leadership as not just the heroic act of one set apart from the rest, but as a human endeavor taken up by those who dare to be authentic, courageous and committed to the cause of building a community that is truly a better habitat for our common humanity.”

 

Heather Lafferty in a SNAPSHOT

Significant Accomplishments:

  • Tripled Habitat Metro Denver’s housing production in comparison to previous two decades
  • $15 million organization serving more than 100 families annually
  • Mobilizes more than 15,000 volunteers annually
  • Set a vision and plan to grow the organization to directly serve more than 500 families in five years and to advocate for thousands more who need access to affordable housing.
  • Launched Neighborhood Revitalization Program in Globeville
  • Mother of two amazing boys

Awards, Accolades & Community Involvement:

  • Received Livingston Fellowship from the Bonfils Stanton Foundation (2013-2015)
  • Graduate of Denver Metro Chamber Leadership Foundation’s Leadership Denver program (2005-2006)
  • Colorado Nonprofit Association, board member
  • Habitat for Humanity International, S. Council, Advocacy Committee chair
  • Mile High Connects, Advisory Council member
  • Neighborhood Development Collaborative, board secretary
  • National Western Center Community Advisory Council, member
  • Global Village (Haiti, Jordan, Ecuador, Mexico)

Favorite Place in Colorado:

  • Her home and neighborhood