Habitat Florida 2025 Affiliate Conference: Full Schedule

We are excited to welcome you to our 2025 Habitat Florida Affiliate Conference! This year’s theme is Building Tomorrow, Together. As a network, we are embracing change, overcoming challenges, and finding innovative ways to serve our communities. Across Florida, the affordable housing crisis has required our affiliates to continually adapt. Yet, in the face of these challenges, the spirit of Habitat remains strong. Affiliates across the state are scaling up, building more, and serving more families than ever before. Together, we are forging a future where safe, affordable housing is within reach for all.

We have lined up an incredible slate of speakers and sponsors to share their wealth of knowledge with our affiliate network! Thank you for your participation! If you are looking to book your rooms for the conference, you can do so here. The hotel will discount the taxes with a copy of your tax-exempt certificate. This conference, from April 28-30, 2025 at The Shores Resort and Spa is exclusively for Florida affiliate employees and volunteers.

3:00pm EDT

HFHI Disaster Response Focus Group

Monday April 28, 2025 3:00pm - 4:00pm EDT

Bill France B

Has your affiliate recently been impacted by a disaster? HFHI wants to hear from you to help improve their disaster response program. Questions are attached!

Speakers

Melissa Rivera

Affiliate Engagement & Success Manager, Habitat for Humanity International

I reside in New Smyrna, Florida, and have been at HFHI for nearly 10 years. In my current role, I manage the outcome measurement change management approach across the U.S. in partnership with affiliated organizations, design trainings/resources, and provide MEAL technical assistance... Read More →

Monday April 28, 2025 3:00pm - 4:00pm EDT
Bill France B 1st Floor

General

4:15pm EDT

Habitat and the Home Builders Association: A Complementary Partnership

Monday April 28, 2025 4:15pm - 5:15pm EDT

Bill France B

What does Habitat have in common with the Home Builders Association? There is much more beyond working in the same environment of all home builders; how about an affordable housing legislative agenda that mirrors Habitat’s? Learn more from a 30-year Habitat leader who first worked in the for profit development and homebuilding sector, and representatives from the Florida Home Builders Association. You will be engaged in an exploration of the benefits of an active collaboration with the Home Builders Association in your community.

Speakers

Bob Calhoun

Monday April 28, 2025 4:15pm - 5:15pm EDT
Bill France B 1st Floor

Construction & Repairs

9:15am EDT

In-House Underwriting

Tuesday April 29, 2025 9:15am - 10:15am EDT

Bill France B

Learn how to underwrite applications in-house with an objective system from an affiliate who does all underwriting with a QLO team and whose Homeowner Selection and Support Committee has created a system that is easy to use and very objective.

Speakers: DonnaLea Askman, Program Director, Habitat St. Lucie & Okeechobee

Speakers

DonnaLea Askman

Tuesday April 29, 2025 9:15am - 10:15am EDT
Bill France B 1st Floor

Finance & Mortgage Services

10:30am EDT

Habitat Florida & Statewide Advocacy

Tuesday April 29, 2025 10:30am - 11:30am EDT

Bill France B

We are at the beginning of a very busy advocacy year! Join us to learn more about our statewide policy priorities for 2025 and beyond and how YOU can get involved. This session will be presented by Jessica Meyer, Habitat Florida Director of Engagement, and a representative from our lobbying team, Robert Stuart, Angela Drzewiecki, or Carlecia Collins.

Speakers

Jessica Meyer

Director of Engagement, Habitat for Humanity of Florida, Inc

Jessica is the Communications Manager for Habitat Florida. Prior to working in the nonprofit industry, Jessica worked in healthcare communications and taught Civics.

Tuesday April 29, 2025 10:30am - 11:30am EDT
Bill France B 1st Floor

Advocacy

2:15pm EDT

Elevate Your Construction Schedule – No Scaffolding Required

Tuesday April 29, 2025 2:15pm - 3:15pm EDT

Bill France B

The story of how Greater Volusia changed their approach and increased their historic build rate.
The good, the bad and the ugly of our journey to increase our construction capacity and serve more families. We will share lessons learned, hurdles faced and how we gained alignment, built enthusiasm and created momentum in the community. No matter the size of your affiliate if you want to accelerate your build rate, please join us for a fun story followed by open discussion.

Speaker: Jeff Beck - Vice President, Supply Chain- TopBuild and Immediate Past President and Construction Committee Chair - HFH of Greater Volusia County

Speakers

Jeffrey P. Beck

Tuesday April 29, 2025 2:15pm - 3:15pm EDT
Bill France B 1st Floor

Construction & Repairs

3:30pm EDT

Mission Possible: Connecting with the Right Future Homeowners

Tuesday April 29, 2025 3:30pm - 4:30pm EDT

Bill France B

Learn the ins and outs of a successful homeowner recruitment program including how to use innovative techniques and partnerships to connect with future homeowners.

Speakers: Donald Smith, VP of Homeowner Services, Habitat Broward

Speakers