
WHO WE ARE
Habitat for Humanity of Oshkosh is an innovative leader in diverse housing solutions by empowering families and inspiring community wide action to break the cycle of poverty.
Our Mission
Seeking to put God’s love into action, Habitat for Humanity brings people together to build homes, communities, and hope.
Our Vision
A world where everyone has a decent place to live.
Our Values
Everything we do is in stewardship of our community, our environment, and the time, talent, and treasures of our volunteers, staff, donors, and shoppers.
Our Team








Now hiring!
Click below to check out employment opportunities






Contact Our Staff
Executive Director, Tom Simon
920-235-3535 TSimon@habitatoshkosh.org
Construction Manager, Rob Rabe
920-235-3535 RRabe@habitatoshkosh.org
Program Director, Anne Van de Hey
920-235-3535 AHey@habitatoshkosh.org
VISTA Volunteer Coordinator, Brittany Smith
920-235-3535 bsmith@habitatoshkosh.org
Director of Resource Development, Dan Traxler
920-235-3535 DTraxler@habitatoshkosh.org
Sustainability Director, Nichole Ise
920-235-3535 NIse@habitatoshkosh.org
ReStore Manager, Erick Ruth
920-230-3535 eruth@habitatoshkosh.org
ReStore Assistant Manager, Jacob Baake
920-230-3535 ReStore@habitatoshkosh.org
VISTA ReStore Efficiency Coordinator, Jamila Washington
920-230-3535 jwashington@habitatoshkosh.org
Board of Directors

Introducing Denise Prehn MD; our board president. Denise is a retired Internal Medicine Physician at Aurora Health Care, where she served since 1996 in both direct patient care and Quality Administration on the Senior Leadership team.
Denise brings her professional experience to her role as President of our board, namely her experience in project management and non-profits.
On top of being our board president, she is also a founding board member and president of Oshkosh Area Community Pantry (OACP) as well as a current member of the Service League and a Women’s Fund board member.
Denise was inspired to join the board while being involved in Leadership Oshkosh as an adjunct member, saying she agreed with Habitat’s mission of building community.
To her, Habitat’s mission means the following: “lending a hand-up, not a hand-out to access home ownership.”
For Denise, her most meaningful experience with our organization so far has been “watching home recipients give back to the community.”
Outside of serving her community, Denise enjoys skiing, boating, and being a mother to her 3 grown children. Another fun fact about her– she used to play clarinet for the UW Madison marching band during her time there.
For those interested in getting involved in our mission, Denise gives advice:
“Come and volunteer!” Prehn said. “You always get back more than you give.”

Introducing Darlene Brandt, our board vice president. Darlene is retired from the City of Oshkosh, where she worked with non-profits to prioritize and address community needs. She did this through acquiring slum and blight properties, demolition, and selling residential lots to non-profits for construction of single-family homes for low to moderate-income families.
Darlene wanted to continue to provide affordable housing in Oshkosh and surrounding communities and was inspired to join our board to keep this mission going even in her retirement.
Darlene believes this work is important in our community because there are “not many options available for low to moderate-income individuals to become homeowners without Habitat’s programs.”
The most rewarding thing about her experience, however, has been “seeing the look in the eyes of the new homeowners and their families when the keys to their new home are turned over to them.”
For those interested in getting involved in our mission, Darlene gives the following advice: “Do it, you won’t be sorry!” Darlene said. “You can volunteer as your time permits.”



Meet Stephanie Schreiber, one of our many wonderful board members. Stephanie currently works under Oshkosh Corporation at Oshkosh Defense as the Environmental Lead of their environmental department.
Stephanie went to school for Environmental Studies at UW-Oshkosh, knowing she wanted to “work within a business making a difference (in) their environmental department,” Stephanie said.
With sustainability being a core value of Habitat, Stephanie brings her sustainability knowledge to the board.
Stephanie was inspired to join the board after her grandmother donated her childhood home, a place Stephanie spent a lot of time at as a child, to the Lake-McHenry Habitat for Humanity.
“I always think about that family living in my grandmother's house,” Stephanie said. “I know all of the memories I made in that home, and to know another family is doing the same thing motivates me to keep giving back to my community.”
To Stephanie, Habitat’s mission means building strong communities and strong neighborhoods.
“If we can give back to the people in our community, they will only make their neighborhoods stronger,” Stephanie said. “This work (Habitat) builds a strong community, and a strong community creates a sense of belonging for people. Having a community to rely on when things get difficult can make things a bit easier on people.”
The most impactful moment she’s had with Habitat, however, was her first home dedication.
“(It) was very emotional for me; it reminded me why I do this work,” Stephanie said. “To see how proud that family was to receive a home is something I will never forget. A home is often taken for granted by people and it really makes you stop and appreciate what you have.”
Outside of work, Stephanie has a husband a two-year-old son, who she says keeps her very busy. She also is the owner of two cats and a dog, and loves going for walks in her neighborhood.
One fun fact about Stephanie – when she was in college, she did a summer internship in Germany where she got the chance to tour different countries on the weekend.
For those interested in getting involved in our mission, Stephanie gives some advice: “Just give it a try and donate the time that you can,” Stephanie said. “A lot of people are stretched thin, but even the smallest of efforts can make a huge impact.”


Introducing Courtney Bauder; another great member of our board. Bauder is the Director of the Social Justice Minor program at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh.
He has taught a wide variety of courses on diversity, sustainability, and global issues at the university for almost 25 years; a perspective that he also brings to the table as a Habitat for Humanity board member.
Bauder was inspired to join the board after volunteering for a variety of HFH projects all around the world, and wanting to help support the community of Oshkosh.
“As a person of faith who is committed to Social Justice and sustainability, Habitat for Humanity is the perfect organization for me to align with because the mission intersects with both my personal and professional goals,” Bauder said. “Everyone deserves an opportunity to access affordable housing.”
Bauder’s wife, a special education teacher in Oshkosh, also said that several of her students have benefitted from Habitat for Humanity’s programs.
Outside of work and serving on our board, Bauder loves to garden, cook, walk around Menominee park, and travel. He even has a goal to travel to 50 different countries or territories by the age of 50, a goal he has almost completed.
He has also had the opportunity to travel with Habitat for Humanity, including a trip to Lahaina, Hawaii to support their Habitat for Humanity affiliate.
“I fundamentally believe that everyone should have access to a place to live and the resources they need to thrive in a way that they believe is meaningful for them,” Bauder said. “I appreciate the opportunity to challenge some of the obstacles that prevent people from accessing these opportunities.”
Bauder gave some advice for those interested in getting involved in our mission:
“Try volunteering in new ways and try serving on committees that test new skills so you can get a great sense of the overall mission of Habitat for Humanity!”


Meet another one of our awesome board members, Justin Schmick. Justin is the owner of Schmick Freeman Insurance, and has been in insurance for ten years.
Justin was inspired to join the board because “Habitat is a great organization,” Justin said. “I just wanted to find a way to help.”
To Justin, our mission means helping the community in whatever way possible.
He believes this mission is important because “home ownership is a point of pride, and often a start to a successful life,” Justin said. “Habitat makes it more possible for people to get that start.”
One of Justin’s favorite parts about Habitat is the annual Home is Where the Heart is fundraising event, where Justin gets to do some fun-raising as emcee of the event.
“I know how to throw a fun party!” Justin said.
The most meaningful experience Justin has had with Habitat is working on the Events Committee to throw events like HIWTHI.
What motivates him to give back the community is, “good feelings and smiling faces of volunteers and new homeowners.”
Outside of work, Justin has a wife and three kids, who he says keep him busy. His favorite local restaurant is Sushi Lover, and a fun fact about him is that he can do a killer impression.
For those considering getting involved with Habitat’s mission, Justin lays out some advice:
“Do it!” Justin said. “Habitat has a lot of opportunities to get involved. Find the part you are passionate about, and dive in!"

Introducing Henrik Schultz, one of our many amazing board members. Hendrik currently works at Advocate Aurora Health as an Internist, and has served in several roles as a healthcare leader and board member.
Hendrik also brings his perspective as a healthcare worker to the board.
“I understand the deep connection between living and social situation and a person’s health and wellbeing,” he said.
Hendrik was inspired to join our board by, “the mission of Habitat to create homes for families in our community, and the commitment and passion for this mission our board members have.”
Hendrik believes that home is a central part of our lives as human beings, and that creating it for someone is a meaningful mission.
Moreover, he believes that this work is important because it helps build a community people want to live in together.
“Next to family, a community is the most formative environment we live in,” Hendrik said. “I want to help create a supportive, compassionate and inclusive community for the people coming after me.”
His most meaningful experience with our organization so far was the first ever home dedication that he attended, which he said was “one of the most moving moments in my life.”
Originally from Germany, Hendrik came to the U.S. with his family in 2003, and “fell in love with the Midwest.”
Outside of work, Hendrik enjoys hanging out with his wife and two sons, engaging in his community, sailing on Lake Winnebago and traveling around the world. As such, he can also speak several different languages.
For those interested in joining the board or getting involved in Habitat, Hendrik suggests to, “just start with any project that interests you (and) try it out—you will enjoy the experience and the team!”

Meet Matthew Trombley, another one of our great board members.
Matthew is currently an Operations Planning Manager for Amcor, but before that, his career began in Quality post-graduation, a foundation that he said has helped him solve complex problems and deploy actions needed to solve them with his current role at Amcor. His analytical mind is also a skill he brings to the board.
Matthew was inspired to join the board from his father, who was a Habitat board member and volunteer while Matthew was in high school.
“I have watched him serve the community where I grew up,” Matthew said. “It inspired me to get involved, when given the chance, through Leadership Oshkosh.”
As a person of faith, what our mission means to Matthew is, “putting God’s love into action for the greater Oshkosh community.”
Matthew believes this work is important for many reasons.
“Housing has changed so much in the last ten years; costs continue to go up, and builders are not incentivized to build affordable homes that give families a chance to take root in a community,” Matthew said. “The team's drive in Oshkosh is to accelerate the building of new, affordable homes.”
Some of the most meaningful experiences he’s had as a board member has been watching our affiliate grow over the past two years and being touched by “watching families as they are handed keys to their new home.”
Outside of work, Matthew is enjoying “all the fun and adventures that come with a young child in the house.” He also enjoys working on projects and roasting coffee in his free time.
His favorite local spot is the south end of Wittman’s Runway at EAA, where him and his family watch aircrafts fly in before the start of EAA every year. Another favorite is Menominee Park, where he often takes his daughter.
One fun fact about him that most people don’t know is that he is ambidextrous, writing with his left hand and playing sports with his right.
For those considering getting involved in our mission, Matthew gives some advice:
“Come volunteer at an event with Habitat for Humanity Oshkosh,” he said. “Rock the Block is a great way to get involved. There is also committee work that can be done to help in a number of areas.”

Introducing our newest Board Member of Habitat Oshkosh, Alyssa Reinke! Alyssa is currently a Community Development Specialist at Martenson & Eisele, but she has also worked supporting the community in the non-profit sector.
“I wanted to join the Habitat for Humanity of Oshkosh board because I believe having a safe, stable place to call home is such an important part of a strong community. After spending several years working in the nonprofit world, I missed being directly involved in work that has a tangible impact on people’s lives. Habitat’s focus on bringing people, volunteers, and community partners together to create lasting change really stood out to me. I’m excited to use my experience in community planning, outreach, and collaboration in a way that helps make a difference right here in Oshkosh.”
Alyssa appreciates Habitat’s hands on approach of engaging the community, bringing people together in order to make a tangible difference in Oshkosh. As a Habitat Board member, she brings her unique experience of having worked in nonprofits and “with municipalities, community partners, and the public has given me a good understanding of the different pieces that go into creating positive change in a community, including finding and managing resources to make that work possible. As an Oshkosh resident, I also bring the perspective of someone who cares about the community not just professionally, but as a place I call home.” In her personal life, Alyssa can be found exploring Oshkosh with her fiancé, enjoying the outdoors, or getting her hands dirty in the garden. Habitat will give her plenty of opportunity to enjoy the outdoors, get dirty, and make a difference on the build site and at Rock the Block!
Giving back is clearly a part of Alyssa’s character. “My fiancé and I started our first date at a coffee shop but somehow ended up spending over an hour walking around Oshkosh and picking up trash along the way. I guess you could say community service was part of our love story from the beginning!” She is motivated by seeing the real time impact local work has and getting to see the individuals and families directly benefiting from these efforts.
Alyssa’s advice? “…start somewhere! You don’t have to have a lot of time, special skills, or know exactly how you want to help. There are so many ways to get involved, whether that’s volunteering at a build, helping with an event, donating, spreading the word, or simply showing up and getting to know the organization. I’ve found through my own nonprofit experience that even small contributions can add up to a really big impact when a community works together.”
Our Results
Habitat for Humanity of Oshkosh is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that relies on generous contributions from individuals, families, businesses and other organizations. We pride ourselves on transparency, efficiency, and innovation.
2023 Audited Financial Statements and 990 2022-2023 PUBLIC INSPECTION