Habitat for Humanity International recognizes exceptional leadership and service with Global Volunteer Recognition
ATLANTA, Oct. 7, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- During a milestone year for global volunteering, Habitat for Humanity International is proud to recognize 44 volunteers from 21 countries whose leadership, service and innovation are helping to strengthen communities and advance access to safe, affordable housing.
Habitat is proud to celebrate these volunteers who reflect the many ways people contribute to our vision of a world where everyone has a decent place to live, including through building and repairing homes, mobilizing communities, sharing professional skills, advocating for housing solutions, raising resources and inspiring others to serve.
This initiative comes as Habitat marks its 50th anniversary, and the United Nations observes the International Year of Volunteers for Sustainable Development. Together in 2026, these milestones provide an opportunity to celebrate the volunteers who have helped shape Habitat's first 50 years and those carrying our mission forward.
"One volunteer's impact can extend across a community, inspire others, change systems, and open doors to housing solutions that endure," said Jonathan Reckford, chief executive officer at Habitat for Humanity International. "We celebrate all that Habitat volunteers make possible around the world, every day. Volunteers built the foundation for Habitat, and they will continue to pave the way for our future."
The impact of this year's honorees takes many forms, reflecting the wide range of skills, experiences and perspectives they bring to Habitat. In Jordan, Fadi Miqdady led efforts to build 78 homes, rehabilitate more than 370 others and improve water access in remote villages. In South Korea, Sean Ro created public running and walking campaigns that have engaged tens of thousands of participants and raised approximately $5.7 million to support housing. In Kenya, Roseline Asena mobilized residents of the Mukuru Informal Settlement to advocate for adequate housing and helped bring community priorities into national policy discussions.
Víctor Oswaldo Martínez Flores helped establish Habitat for Humanity Guatemala and remains an active volunteer after 47 years, while in the United States, Eva Condron-Wells helped to advance a 107-home development in rural California.
2026 Global Honorees: Out of over 300 regional honoree nominations, twelve volunteers were selected for global recognition.
Back in Action: Recognizing volunteers who return, reconnect and deepen their commitment to Habitat's mission.
- Robyn Brown, nominated by Habitat Cambodia, who has served on more than 16 Habitat builds and grew from a volunteer participant into a Women Build team leader.
Bridge Builder: Recognizing volunteers who bring people, organizations or sectors together and turn shared purpose into collective action.
- Edwin Soeryadjaya, Indonesia, who mobilized more than 270 business leaders through the CEO Build initiative and expanded corporate participation in housing solutions.
Changemaker: Recognizing volunteers who contribute skills, ideas or innovative approaches that strengthen programs, systems or housing solutions.
- Alba Aleida Loy Toledo, Guatemala, who translated community priorities into improvements in housing, health, infrastructure, education and economic opportunity.
Community Catalyst: Recognizing volunteers who mobilize others and help communities turn their priorities and lived experiences into meaningful change.
- Roseline Asena, Kenya, who mobilized residents, strengthened youth advocacy and helped communities influence housing policy and public investment.
Community Cornerstone: Recognizing volunteers who build the relationships, trust and local leadership that sustain Habitat's work.
- Sean Ro, South Korea, who created public running and walking campaigns that have engaged tens of thousands of participants and raised approximately $5.7 million to support housing for descendants of independence patriots and war veterans.
Door Opener: Recognizing volunteers who create new possibilities by opening doors to people, partnerships, resources, or housing solutions.
- Fadi Miqdady, Jordan, who led efforts to build 78 homes, rehabilitate more than 370 others and improve water access in remote villages.
- Eva Condron-Wells, United States, who strengthened organizational capacity, community partnerships and advocacy in support of a 107-home development in rural California.
Emerging Leader: Recognizing volunteers who demonstrate growing leadership and the potential to inspire a new generation of service.
- Kevin McShan, Canada, who is advancing inclusive leadership, accessibility and community engagement through board service, storytelling and advocacy.
Lifetime Keystone: Recognizing volunteers whose extraordinary long-term service, leadership and mentorship have created an enduring legacy.
- Víctor Oswaldo Martínez Flores, Guatemala, who helped establish Habitat for Humanity Guatemala and remains an active volunteer after 47 years of service.
- Bob Schultz, United States, who has contributed more than 15,000 volunteer hours and used his electrical and construction expertise to help Habitat serve more than 450 families.
ReStore: Recognizing volunteers whose exceptional service, innovation or leadership strengthens Habitat ReStores and the housing work they help support.
- Wayne Richard, Canada, who has contributed 26 years of ReStore service, including testing donated electrical products and mentoring volunteers and students.
- Steven Lindquist, United States, who applied his technical expertise to modernize inventory, donor tracking and operational decision-making at Milwaukee Habitat.
Habitat also recognizes the following regional honorees:
Across these award categories, Habitat is also proud to recognize 32 regional honorees whose service, leadership and commitment are strengthening communities and advancing access to safe, affordable housing around the world.
- Back In Action
- Jan Bodewes, Netherlands; Dina Elizabeth Donis de León Vela, Guatemala
- Bridge Builder
- Hanan Abougabal Soliman, Egypt; Seare Desta, Ethiopia; María del Rosario Selman-Housein, Honduras
- Changemaker
- Sulochana Kumari Shah, Nepal; Geoffrey Muteka, Zambia; Jamie Cleaver, Canada; Tyler Spino, U.S.; Warren Kearns, Ireland
- Community Catalyst
- Akritirani Phuyal, Nepal; Edgar Rigoberto Santos, Guatemala
- Community Cornerstone
- Diana Ferariu, Romania; Veronica Valiente, Paraguay; Jaffer Wangai, Kenya
- Door Opener
- Ian Dyar, Lesotho; Juana Consuelo López Milian, Guatemala; Muskan Dinesh Lund, India; Dana Hardy, U.S.; Marilyn Boake, Canada; Murray Scotton, Canada; Luke Walker, Canada
- Emerging Leader
- Nujju Awale, Nepal; Erik Ducousso, Chile; Sipiliano Phiri, Zambia; Darren Thompson, U.S.
- Lifetime Keystone
- John Joseph Finnerty III, Macedonia; Sheila Kripalani, India; Mary Vandeveld U.S.; Bill Murphy, U.S.; Brent Froese, Canada; Angeline Pare, Canada
To learn more about volunteer opportunities, visit habitat.org/volunteer.
About Habitat for Humanity
Habitat for Humanity is a movement of people in your local area and around the world, working together to build more prosperous and vibrant communities by making sure everyone has a safe, affordable place to call home. Since our founding in 1976 as a Christian organization, together we have helped more than 65 million people globally build their futures on their own terms through access to decent housing. We've done that by working alongside people of all walks of life to build, repair and finance their homes, by innovating new ways of building and financing, and by advocating for policies that make constructing and accessing housing easier for everyone. Together, we build homes, communities and hope. To learn more, visit habitat.org
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SOURCE Habitat for Humanity International
