After 14 ½ years of dedicated service as the CEO and Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity of Bucks County, Florence Kawoczka has announced her retirement, effective this summer.
Florence currently leads a mission-focused team of over 65 employees. During her tenure, the affiliate has partnered with 53 of the 135 new homeowners in its 36-year history and repaired over 435 homes. Under her guidance, Habitat Bucks expanded its home production to include the rehabilitation of blighted properties and established the Almost Home financial empowerment program. She also oversaw the opening of a second and third ReStore and the significant growth of the Home Repair program, which addresses critical community needs through safety and major systems repairs.
Furthermore, Florence was instrumental in establishing the Permanent Workforce Housing model at Habitat Bucks, ensuring that every home sold since November 2022 remains permanently affordable. In addition to her local advocacy for attainable housing, she recently completed a six-year term on the U.S. Council of Habitat for Humanity International, where she chaired the Affiliate Enhancement and ReStore Committees.
Prior to her leadership at Habitat, Florence served as the development director for several agencies in the county focused on social services, homelessness, and youth development.
In her retirement, Florence looks forward to remaining active in the community, volunteering, traveling with her husband, Paul, and spending time with their three children and six grandchildren.
As part of its succession planning process, Habitat Bucks has hired Kittleman & Associates, a national search firm that specializes in the recruitment of nonprofit CEOs, to find its next leader.
Michael L. Wilson, Habitat Bucks board president said on behalf of the full board, “We are grateful to Florence for her visionary leadership, mission-focused approach, and advocacy. We extend our sincerest congratulations to her and wish her all the best in her next chapter.”
