Liesl Slabaugh has experience growing a development team and improving fundraising at the Port Townsend Marine Science Center (PTMSC) over 14 years.

She will use that experience to expand supportive partnerships and raise funds to address the ongoing housing crisis as the new development director for Habitat of Humanity of East Jefferson County.

Slabaugh agreed with Executive Director Jamie Maciejewski that while many other places in the country face a housing crisis, conditions in our region are particularly acute.

“I love fundraising for good causes, and I look forward to seeing how local families will benefit from Habitat’s projects,” she said.

Slabaugh credited a number of organizations — including the city and county, as well as Olympic Neighbors and OlyCAP — with working together to try and find housing solutions. But more is needed.

“Some small businesses have left, even though people want to work here, because many of them can’t afford to live here,” she said.

Slabaugh and Maciejewski touted the Mason Street neighborhood development in Port Hadlock, East Jefferson Habitat’s largest project, which is already underway.

It is a move to create hundreds of permanently affordable homes at once, for a currently planned 136 families, as opposed to Habitat’s previous rate of building 8-10 homes a year with its “sweat equity” recipients.

Thanks to the acquisition of a former airfield through donations and community coordination, Slabaugh sees Mason Street as an opportunity to “scale up” Habitat’s operations in an impactful way, thanks to its collaboration with various partners, and she’s looking forward to lending her skills to benefit the community through such efforts.

Maciejewski cited Slabaugh’s “wealth of experience” and “proven track record” in resource development, as well as her “deep commitment” to community service and development, through jobs such as managing a transitional housing program for victims of domestic violence, and leading a branch of Big Brothers Big Sisters.

As a Certified Fund-Raising Executive, Slabaugh’s years at PTMSC growing the development team from one person to five, enhancing their fundraising capabilities, and raising more than half a million dollars annually from individual donors as the development and marketing director at PTMSC.

Slabaugh also worked with the Marine Science Center’s executive director and board to devise and implement growth strategies, including a capital campaign to renovate a newly purchased downtown building.

“I’ve worked in finance operations and on construction projects,” Slabaugh said. “I’ve helped secure grants from government organizations, and donations from individuals and philanthropic groups.” In total, she said, she has 35 years of experience with non-profits. She lived here for 26 years.

Slabaugh finds it particularly compelling to see how those who have faced “tough times” will receive tangible outcomes from her work with Habitat, while Maciejewski expressed confidence that the new development director’s connections in East Jefferson County position her well to lead Habitat’s development efforts.

Maciejewski pointed to the irony of East Jefferson County being “an incredible place to live” also being a driver in the demand for housing. Meanwhile there is a limited number of local contractors and suppliers, something that can require more planning and “creative coordination” to make more affordable housing happen. The is especially challenging given the expenses of service and supplies.

Due to such region-specific considerations, Slabaugh’s “local knowledge and relationships will be invaluable, as she spearheads initiatives to increase revenue and expand our development team,” Maciejewski said. “Liesl’s leadership will significantly enhance our capacity to provide affordable housing solutions to those in need.”