Staff

John Welaj

Elyse Howard

Emily Peyton

Emily has been with Habitat for Humanity Vail Valley since 2006. Over the years, she has been involved with all aspects of the organization. As the Vice President of Operations, Emily oversees Family Services, Land Acquisition and Materials Pricing & Procurement. In other words, she takes care of the details of the building process from start to finish. A highlight of her job is seeing the kindness and dedication from people of all walks of life coming together to create positive change.

Emily graduated from the University of Colorado with double degrees in business and Spanish. She spent a year teaching at Universidad de Concepción in Chile prior to moving from Indiana to start her career at Habitat Vail Valley.

When not at work, Emily spends time outside – running or hiking with her dog Zuma, biking, fly fishing, skiing; traveling, cooking and reading are also high on her list of down-time activities.

Kalie Palmer

Douglas Amberg

Doug joined Habitat for Humanity Vail Valley in August 2022 as Director of Construction. He helped the transitioned to two job sites, building 24 homes in just one year. Doug brings almost three decades of construction experience to Habitat Vail Valley, including a background in interior trim work, mill work, steel fabrication, on-site management and as a general contractor. Most recently he worked as a GC in the Roaring Fork Valley as project manager on multiple single family and multifamily homes.

He’s excited to be part of team, building sustainable and energy efficient homes while making a positive difference in families’ lives. He enjoys the creative process, with tangible results of efforts and interacting with tradespeople, learning new technologies and techniques.

Originally from Tulsa, Oklahoma, he, his wife Sara and two children moved to Eagle County in 2015. When not at work, he golfs, snowboards and is a self-confessed puzzle nerd.

Mauricio “Mo” Bolivar

Mauricio “Mo” joined Family Services team as Community Resource Coordinator for Building Futures. In this role, he will work with families, connecting them with existing programs and services as they work towards, and in some cases transition into, homeownership. He loves interacting and helping families work towards their goals and increased opportunity.

Prior to joining Family Services, Mo worked as Donations Ambassador at the Habitat ReStore. He quickly became indispensable and continues to make an impact on families living in Eagle County.

Maurico moved to Eagle County in 2003, left to travel and returned in 2021. He originally hails from Chile but traveled the world before settling in Eagle County. When not at work, Mauricio spends time with his family, enjoys cooking and being in nature.

Damian Calzadillas

Damian joined the Habitat ReStore team as Donations Ambassador in 2024. He helps with donation pickups and deliveries, creating positive donor and customer experiences. He also helps in the store, organizing and setting out new inventory.

Damian is a lifelong Eagle County resident and is excited to be part of the ReStore team.

Sam Farrell

Sam joined the Habitat construction team in early 2024 as AmeriCorp Volunteer Crew Leader, where he will lead volunteer teams in constructing houses at Stratton Flats. He thrives on the variety of the job, the nonstop learning and connecting with volunteers from around the valley.

Sam comes to Habitat Vail Valley after completing an AmeriCorps term of service as Climbing Inventory Technician at Red Rocks, Nevada. In this position, he’s inspired by working with the community, seeing how much a group can accomplish when they work together. He adds that everyone has the power to make a difference and create positive change for the world.

Sam loves spending time outdoors — rock climbing, mountain biking, skiing, hiking, backpacking.

Cameron Ferguson

Cam  joined the ReStore in 2024 as Donations Ambassador. He enjoys meeting with donors and customers and is proud to be part of the ReStore team, being an important cause here in the Vail Valley.

Cameron has lived in Eagle County for more than a decade. When not at work, he skis, fishes and enjoys hanging out with his family.

Jimena Fernandez

Jimena joined the construction team June 2024. She is Crew Leader as part of the Vail Valley Partnership’s CareerWise Apprenticeship Program. She will complete high school and continue to build her skills with Habitat Vail Valley.

Jimena’s parents inspire her to accomplish her dreams. She is an Eagle County native.

Lydia Gambacini

Lydia joined Habitat Vail Valley summer 2024 as an AmeriCorp Construction Crew Leader. In this role, she leads volunteer groups and assists partner families in getting their 250 hours of sweat equity.

Lydia hails from Connecticut, spent five years in Washington, D.C. before heading west. She has an international affairs and Africana studies degree from Howard University.

Lydia loves meeting new people, collaborating with them to build something awesome and being engaged in meaningful work that connects her to likeminded individuals. When she’s not helping build homes, she spends time outdoors, getting acquainted with the Vail Valley.

Heather Hower

Heather joined Habitat for Humanity Vail Valley in 2021 as Marketing and Communications Manager, where she oversees and executes marketing, PR and communications strategies.  She is involved with several community collaborative groups. Prior to joining Habitat, Heather worked at various nonprofits in Eagle County and has almost two decades of editorial experience.

Heather graduated from Providence College and was an editor in Boulder before moving to Vail to work at World Championship ski and mountain bike events.

Jessenia Jones

Jessenia joined the ReStore team in 2021. After 20 years of partnering in various capacities with Habitat Vail Valley, she decided to help build the story of home as ReStore Sales Associate. She brings a wealth of experience to the ReStore, having previously worked in banking, childcare, nonprofit finance, technology and government.

Jessenia is originally from Albuquerque, New Mexico, and has made her home in Eagle County for more than two decades.  When not at the ReStore, she spends time working in her garden and playing music with her husband and friends.

Denise Kipp

Denise joined Habitat Vail Valley as Development Coordinator in 2022. She brings more than a decade of nonprofit experience. She’s passionate about serving the community, supporting the work force and families who build the fabric of our community while connecting individuals with resources. Denise uses her experience, longevity and relationships to help be part of the housing solution in Eagle County.

Denise taught middle and high school science in New York City and Eagle County before serving as executive director of a nonprofit in addition to teaching, creating curriculum and overseeing a staff of educators.

Denise moved to Eagle County from New York in 1998. When she’s not at work she’s running, hiking, backpacking or mountain biking miles of trails, enjoying the beauty that surrounds us — often with Boston Terriers as her adventure partners.

Maria Klopfenstein

Maria joined Habitat for Humanity Vail Valley in 2016 as Office Manager. Currently as Staff Accountant she oversees daily management of financials and payroll. She has a Certified Nonprofit Accounting Professional certificate. Maria loves being part of an organization that values helping others and the community; and knowing that her work directly contributes to families being able to afford a home of their own. Maria was born in St. Paul, graduating from Bethel University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism. Growing up with missionary parents, she spent her childhood in Hawaii before the family returned to Minnesota. After college she moved to Colorado to work at a dude ranch. She moved to Eagle County in 2011 to live near her now-husband, Reid.

Outside of work, Maria enjoys hiking with her dog and family, rafting, skiing, fishing, camping with her family, hunting with her husband, and doing anything else that involves the outdoors.

Ann Logel

Ann is the  Habitat ReStore Vail Valley Manager. She started off as Donations Coordinator in 2020, helping procure donations throughout the Eagle River Valley, before becoming manager. She oversees all aspects of the store including scheduling pickups, organizing donations, tracking sales and day-to-day operations.

Ann worked in the hospitality industry before traveling for two years around the world, returning to Eagle County. She graduated from Colorado Mesa University with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Hospitality Management.
Ann is an Eagle County native. When not at work, she loves to travel and spend time outside skiing, hiking, backpacking, rock climbing, camping – anything that gets her outside into nature.

Carissa Lovelace

Carissa joined the Construction team as Construction Crew Leader in winter 2024 . In this role, she empowers and supports the jobsite volunteers. Prior to joining Habitat Vail Valley, Carissa spent 15 years as a community organizer, workers’ rights advocate, environmental steward and working on human rights campaigns. In addition, she brings three years of construction project management experience.

Carissa is excited about building community and truly believes the greatest way to spends one’s time, rather than creating beauty, is in service to others.

Carissa has lived in Eagle County since 2021 and is originally from Union, Kentucky, and has a Bachelors in Cultural Anthropology from University of Louisville and a Certificate of Construction Project Management. When not on the jobsite, she cooks, gardens, hikes, camps, crafts, reads, skis, bikes, travels and creates.

Elena Martinez

Elena joined the Family Services team at Habitat in 2022. She settled in quickly to work in collaboration and partnership with families and community resources. She serves as the main point of contact for the families and/or individuals participating in the Building Futures program. She meets with families to assess their needs and make the connection with resources.

Elena is a lifelong Eagle County resident and has seen the way the community has changed; she’s eager to help with the transformation for the better. She has always enjoyed helping others and relies on her faith and family. Combined with her work experience in early childhood education, hospitality, accounting and banking — she is making connections that will positively influence families for years to come.

When not at work, she enjoys hiking, camping, reading and spending time with her family.

Kelsie McKenna

Kelsie joined Habitat for Humanity Vail Valley summer of 2021 as Project Coordinator, focusing on the construction of more houses for Habitat homeowners. Now as Project Manager, Kelsie maintains the schedule and budget while monitoring on-going projects and planning for upcoming work. In addition, she procures materials and tools, records and tracks construction progress and helps the construction crew with on-site tasks.

Prior to this role, Kelsie spent two years as a structural engineer in New York City, designing airports and museums. Kelsie has a BS in Civil Engineering from Virginia Tech and an M.S. Structural Engineering from Stanford University.

When not using her engineering prowess on the jobsite, Kelsie loves to ski, bike, hike, do yoga and relax with a book or puzzle.

Guadalupe “Lupe” Nye

Guadalupe “Lupe” joined Habitat Vail Valley as Mortgage Services Coordinator August 2024. In this role, she helps Habitat partner families, who are selected to purchase, through the home-buying process including qualifying for a home loan and navigating and executing the closing process.

Lupe was born raised in Arequipa, Peru, holds an Industrial Engineering degree and has seven years of baking experience. She’s lived in Eagle County since 2010. She’s loves helping families understand the exciting process of purchasing a home.

When not helping people in her community, Lupe travels and loves exploring new places, hikes, plays soccer and cooks.

Suruchi Poon

Suruchi joined the Habitat Vail Valley team summer 2024 as Office Coordinator, where she provides administrative support to the team to help meet the goals, mission and vision of having a world where everyone has a decent place to live. She’s excited to help make the lives of families better.

Suruchi has a plethora of office and nonprofit experience including a Master’s in Business Administration. She always wanted to work where she contributed to society. Her family is her biggest inspiration, and are her support system.

Suruchi comes from Kathmandu, Nepal, and loves exploring new places, spending time outdoors with her husband and nieces as well as baking, working out and relaxing.

Caitlin Pauls

Caitli joined Habitat for Humanity Vail Valley as Development Coordinator in 2021. Now as Development Manager, Caitlin oversees and executes all events and fundraising efforts, donor and sponsorship cultivation and stewardship as well as data management and gift acknowledgment.

Caitlin loves connecting with people and creating memorable events to raise funds for Habitat Vail Valley’s mission. She’s driven by the common goal of working together to improve lives and our community.

Prior to joining Habitat Vail Valley, Caitlin traveled the world selling cameras for BH Photo and worked for NBC Olympics Beijing Games 2008. Here in the Vail Valley, she has worked in hospitality and events.

Caitlin graduated from Iona College and is from New Rochelle, New York. When she’s not planning events, she enjoys the mountain life: Skiing, camping, biking, paddle boarding with her family. She also practices and teaches yoga, loves cooking and seeing live music.

Cassie Scales

Cassie joined the Habitat for Humanity Vail Valley team May 2022 as Volunteer and Human Resources Coordinator. Now as Volunteer Coordinator & HR Generalist, she manages staff and volunteers. Prior she worked as a Probation Officer with the Colorado Judicial Branch.

After 10 years working in the Colorado Judicial Branch, Cassie was ready for a change but wanted to continue to help people in the Vail Valley. Habitat Vail Valley’s  mission and community involvement inspires her. Working with a local affiliate is important to her because she believes the best way to make a difference from the ground up.

When not working, Cassie loves all that mountain life has to offer: trail running, skiing, hiking, yoga, and enjoying a great meal with friends. Cassie is from Bloomington, Indiana.

Gregory Vagnini

Gregory joined the construction team as Assistant Superintendent at Habitat Vail Valley November 2023. In this role, he oversees daily construction activities of the job site including management and oversight of everyone working on site from volunteers to contractors and staff.

Greg has experience working residential construction and holds a degree in construction management.  In this position, he looks forward to increasing his construction knowledge. At Habitat Vail Valley, he’s ready to give back to the local communities, ensuring everyone can have access to housing and working with volunteers.

Greg is from Ballston Lake, New York. When not at work he spends time hunting, fishing and camping.

Justin Wildman

Justin joined the ReStore in 2024 as a Donations Ambassador. He enjoys meeting with donors and customers; seeing new donations come into the ReStore. He thrives when giving back to the community.

Justin has lived in Eagle County for more than 20 years. When not at work, he is a farrier and explores the underwater world.

Caitlin Weis

Caitlin joined Habitat Vail Valley in 2014 as part of the Family Services department. As Family Services Manager, she works with future Habitat families, helping them build a strong foundation and  homeownership. She is integral in helping families qualify for the homeownership program, purchase their new homes and providing post-purchase support for homeowners and communities. She believes there is nothing comparable to seeing a family thrive with the stability of homeownership.

Caitlin grew up in Madison, Wisconsin, and graduated from the University of Minnesota Twin Cities. As a child, she fell in love with skiing and the mountains, so moving to Eagle County was an easy decision.

When she’s not helping families find housing stability, she skis with her son, mountain bikes, goes on the river — enjoys spending time with family.

Andrew Williams

Andy started at the ReStore in May 2022 as Donations Ambassador after being a team member at Mountain Living. Soon after, Andy was promoted to Assistant Manager, where he helps meet ReStore sales goals, coaches and trains staff in ReStore policies and procedures, ensures a safe working environment and solves problems on the fly. He’s known for exemplary customer services, both in store and while procuring donations. Andrew uses his work experience as warehouse supervisor and thrives on finding solutions to difficult problems.

When not at work, Andy enjoys spending time on the river and hiking with his wife and two daughters. He’s been in Eagle County since 2018, moving from Chino, California.