GREEN BAY, Wis. (WFRV) – At Greater Green Bay Habitat for Humanity, building homes has always meant building hope. Behind that mission stands a leader whose influence can be seen across the community: Executive Director and CEO, Jessica Diederich.
Colleagues describe Diederich as deeply committed to families the organization serves, as well as its volunteers, staff and community partners.
“She’s completely committed to our families, our volunteers, our staff and the community overall,” Habitat for Humanity board president, Steve Arps said. “She absolutely is a remarkable woman.”
Diederich’s journey with Habitat for Humanity did not begin in the CEO’s office. She first became involved as a volunteer.
Today, she leads the Greater Green Bay affiliate at a time when communities across the country are grappling with the growing challenge of affordable housing.
“The number one word to describe Jessica with is heart,” Habitat for Humanity Chief Operating Officer, Erik Nieman said. “She’s strategic. She’s a connector. She brings people together to do big things.”
One of those ‘big things’ is Habitat Homestead, a housing development that has transformed open land into a neighborhood of homes for local families.
“It was just a piece of land,” Diederich said. “Now we have a full subdivision and families who are homeowners. It really makes me proud.”
For Diederich, the work is personal.
She grew up in a single-parent household and remembers moving frequently between rental homes. She believes stable housing can make a profound difference in the lives of children.
“If I had that stability growing up, it could have made a big difference,” Diederich said, “I want as many kids as possible to have that chance.”
Her commitment to service extends well beyond Habitat for Humanity.
For more than 23 years, Diederich has volunteered with the Make-A-Wish Foundation and has also spent more than two decades supporting the Salvation Army.
“Volunteering feeds my soul,” Diederich said.
Those who work with Diederich say her ‘people first’ philosophy isn’t just a slogan.
“She cooks for the team. She connects with everybody. It’s a gift, and it moves our mission forward,” Nieman said.
While the homes Habitat builds are made of lumber and nails, Diederich says the real impact is the transformation that happens when families achieve homeownership.
“Seeing others become homeowners is the most magical moment,” Diederich said. “Because you know in that moment, their life is changed.”
For Diederich, being remarkable is less about recognition and more about results. It’s measured in the number of families who now have a safe place to call home.
