Valerie Renk announced in a press release today her retirement as Chief Executive Officer of Habitat for Humanity of Dane County, marking an end to her 11 years of service. During this time, Renk led the expansion of the affordable homeownership nonprofit with new large-scale housing developments, 160+ homes, a home repair program, and financial capability trainings.
With a background in development, microfinance, and agriculture, Renk was named Habitat’s CEO in 2012. During her tenure, she grew the organization from $6 million to $18 million in assets, serving 550+ families through homeownership programs.
Under her leadership, Habitat for Humanity of Dane County:
- Expanded to a 45,000-square-foot central campus, combining the Habitat administrative office, ReStore West location, and two of three warehouses;
- Developed a five-year land bank for future building and development;
- Built in 11 Dane County communities including Madison, Sun Prairie, Oregon, Stoughton, Fitchburg, Verona, Middleton, Brooklyn, and Mount Horeb;
- Started a Furniture Bank;
- Increased mortgage loan capacity to modest means families by more than $1.25 million dollars;
- Became the first Habitat in the nation to be approved by the US Treasury for Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) status; and
- Launched a local Women’s Build Program and emergency COVID mortgage deferral plan, while growing homeownership plans to include repair and financial capability training.
Renk also coped with many challenges throughout her tenure, including a temporary loss of volunteers during the pandemic and the current era of soaring building costs in Dane County.
The Habitat Board of Directors is currently launching a search for a new CEO, and Renk will be staying on-board until a replacement is found. Habitat COO Steve Hanrahan will also be involved.
After retirement, Renk will continue to support community development and manage farmland and a wetland conservation bank she co-owns as a part-time consultant.
