Leadership & Board of Directors | Habitat Springfield, MO

Board of Directors

Habitat for Humanity of Springfield, Missouri is guided by a dedicated team of staff and volunteer leaders committed to building homes, strengthening neighborhoods, and creating opportunities for families in our community. Our leadership team and Board of Directors bring a diverse range of experience in business, construction, finance, and community service—working together to ensure strong stewardship, accountability, and lasting impact.

Katie Jackson | President

Katie Jackson serves as Board President for Habitat for Humanity of Springfield, Missouri, providing leadership and strategic direction to support the organization’s mission of building homes, communities, and hope...

More About Katie

Professionally, Katie is a Senior Account Manager at NewStream Enterprises, where she manages client relationships and oversees projects involving kitting, packaging, fulfillment, and distribution. She brings a strong background in operations, sales, and process improvement, with a proven ability to build trust, streamline systems, and drive results in fast-paced environments.

As Board President, Katie plays a key role in guiding strategic initiatives, strengthening partnerships, and ensuring responsible stewardship of resources. She is passionate about expanding access to safe, affordable housing and helping families in the Springfield community achieve long-term stability through homeownership.

Ila Vandel | Vice President

Ila Vandel is the Managing Director at BigPxl, a Springfield-based digital marketing agency that partners with businesses to drive growth through strategic, data-informed marketing. In her role, she oversees sales and operations while guiding teams to deliver thoughtful, results-driven solutions for both local and national clients...

More About Ila

With a background in strategy and client development, Ila has played a key role in BigPxl’s growth—leading teams, strengthening client relationships, and helping expand the agency’s reach. She is known for her collaborative leadership style and her ability to align strategy, creativity, and technology to achieve meaningful outcomes.

Ila is passionate about building strong communities and supporting organizations that create lasting impact. Her involvement with Habitat for Humanity reflects her commitment to helping families achieve stability and opportunity through safe, affordable housing.

Ila is proud to serve on the Board of Directors, supporting Habitat for Humanity’s mission to build homes, communities, and hope.

Cristy Gies

Cristy Gies is the CEO and Founder of 417 Project Management, where she works with organizations to strengthen operations, develop leaders, and bring structure and accountability to complex initiatives. With more than 25 years of experience in project management and business operations, she brings a thoughtful, results-oriented approach to helping teams grow and succeed...

More About Cristy

She holds a Master’s degree in Organizational Leadership and maintains multiple industry certifications, including Project Management Professional (PMP). Throughout her career, Cristy has led large-scale initiatives and supported organizational growth for companies such as Bass Pro Shops and Accenture, guiding teams through complex projects and periods of transformation.

Cristy is passionate about Habitat for Humanity because of its ability to strengthen families and create lasting stability through safe, affordable housing. She is actively involved in Women Build and supports additional community and global initiatives focused on serving others and creating opportunity.

Cristy is honored to serve on the Board of Directors, helping advance Habitat for Humanity’s mission to build homes, communities, and hope.

Dustin Turner

Dustin Turner is a leader at Mid-Missouri Bank, where he is dedicated to serving others, strengthening communities, and building meaningful relationships through his work and service. With a strong commitment to leadership and community involvement, he brings a values-driven approach to supporting individuals, families, and local initiatives...

More About Dustin

He is deeply engaged in community service, having served as past president of the Rotary Club of Ozark and as a member of Kiwanis. As a Master Mason, Dustin is committed to the principles of service, integrity, and leadership, and he actively invests in youth development by coaching basketball and baseball with Nixa Parks and Recreation, while also supporting local charitable initiatives, community events, and his church, New Life.

Dustin is passionate about Habitat for Humanity because his faith calls him to serve others and meet real needs with compassion and dignity. He believes safe, affordable housing is a powerful way to put faith into action—strengthening families, building hope, and creating opportunities for a better future—reflecting his belief in loving neighbors through service, generosity, and meaningful community involvement.

Denise Dunaway

Denise has served on the Board of Directors for Habitat for Humanity since 2019, though her connection to the organization began much earlier. Growing up with a father who was an engineer, she had the opportunity to help work on a Habitat home—an experience that left a lasting impression and shaped her understanding of the importance of safe, stable housing.
That early experience continues to influence her perspective today...

More About Denise

She believes that not every family begins with the same foundation, and that access to a secure home can profoundly impact a child’s future and opportunities. Through her involvement with Habitat, she is able to invest in work that creates meaningful, long-term impact for both families and the broader community.

In addition to her service with Habitat for Humanity, she is actively involved with Rescue One, P.E.O. Chapter IA, the Highland Springs Ladies Tennis Association (serving as Social Co-Chair), and the Care to Learn School Soiree Committee.

She is honored to play a role in work that helps create stability, opportunity, and a stronger future for families in the community.

Tiffani Claussen

Tiffani believes deeply that everyone deserves access to safe, affordable housing and recognizes the many obstacles that can make that difficult to attain. She understands that stable housing plays a critical role in the overall wellbeing of individuals and families, while also strengthening the broader community...

More About Tiffani

She is passionate about the collective impact that can be achieved through Habitat for Humanity. While individual efforts can make a difference in a few lives, she values how working together can create lasting change—improving outcomes for families and helping shift generational trajectories. This collaborative work fuels her optimism for a brighter future.

In addition to her service with Habitat for Humanity, she currently serves on the boards of United Way of the Ozarks Region, Springfield Business Development Corporation, and the Kiwanis Club of Downtown Springfield. She is also actively involved in her church, regularly volunteers with local food banks and shelters, and enjoys encouraging others to get involved—believing that volunteering not only supports those in need but also builds a stronger sense of community.

She is proud to support Habitat for Humanity’s mission to build homes, communities, and hope.

Colby Keeth

Colby serves in support of Habitat for Humanity because he believes affordable housing is essential to both strong families and a thriving community. Experiences like attending home dedications serve as powerful reminders of the real, lasting impact Habitat makes in people’s lives...

More About Colby

He is proud to be part of an organization that creates meaningful change and helps build a more stable future for families in the community. Through his involvement, he remains committed to supporting efforts that make homeownership more accessible and transformative.

In addition to his work with Habitat for Humanity—where he has served as past treasurer and currently serves as a board member—he is also actively involved with CASA (past treasurer, current board member) and the Westside Optimist Club (past president, current member).

He values the opportunity to contribute to work that creates lasting change for families and strengthens the community for generations to come.

Kelly Warren

Kelly is deeply committed to strengthening the community through her work with Habitat for Humanity, where she has seen firsthand the profound impact of safe, stable housing. She believes a home is more than just walls—it is a foundation that can change the trajectory of a family’s life. Through her involvement, she has witnessed how stability restores hope, strengthens neighborhoods, and creates opportunities for both parents and children to build a better future...

More About Kelly

Her commitment to service began in 2014, when she dedicated 72 hours to volunteering with various local organizations in search of meaningful ways to make an impact. That experience revealed a clear truth: many of the challenges families face are rooted in a lack of safety and shelter. In 2015, she focused her efforts on Habitat for Humanity, contributing to affordable housing initiatives, home repair programs, and neighborhood cleanup efforts that create lasting, generational change.

Since then, she has consistently invested her time in the community, often exceeding 100 hours of service each year. As a director for Habitat for Humanity, she understands that the homes being built represent far more than construction—they provide stability, security, and a pathway to greater opportunity.

She values being part of work that empowers families, strengthens communities, and creates meaningful impact that lasts for generations.

Kim Buche

Kim is committed to expanding access to affordable housing and strengthening communities, both professionally and through her service with Habitat for Humanity. She values the opportunity to apply her expertise in a meaningful way while contributing to work that creates lasting impact at both the local and national level...

More About Kim

She currently serves on the Board of Directors and Advocacy Committee for Habitat for Humanity of Springfield and has previously been involved with several construction-related organizations, bringing valuable industry insight to her role.

Outside of her professional work, she is an avid quilter and crocheter, generously donating approximately 15 quilts each year and creating handmade items for memory care facilities—extending her commitment to service through creativity and care.

She finds purpose in supporting Habitat’s mission, knowing the work helps build not only homes, but stronger, more resilient communities.

Judy Bilyeu

Judy's commitment to Habitat for Humanity is deeply personal. After witnessing a relative experience the stability and dignity of homeownership through the program, she gained a firsthand understanding of how a permanent home allows families to truly thrive. She also values Habitat’s critical role in providing essential home repairs, helping ensure individuals and families can remain safe and secure in their homes...

More About Judy

She is dedicated to amplifying awareness of Habitat’s transformative impact within the Springfield community and considers it a privilege to support work that creates lasting change.

With more than 30 years of community involvement, she brings extensive experience in advocacy for individuals experiencing homelessness and children in the foster care system. As a longtime board member for the Regional Girls Shelter, Southeast Rotary, and The Kitchen, Inc., she has a strong track record of championing meaningful causes and fostering collaborative solutions that address critical community needs.

She is honored to support Habitat’s cause, helping create stability, dignity, and opportunity for families in the community.

Board of Directors

Katie Jackson | President

More About Katie

Ila Vandel | Vice President

More About Ila

Cristy Gies

More About Cristy

Dustin Turner

More About Dustin

Denise Dunaway

More About Denise

Tiffani Claussen

More About Tiffani

Colby Keeth

More About Colby

Kelly Warren

More About Kelly

Kim Buche

More About Kim

Judy Bilyeu

More About Judy

Opportunities

Programs

Our Mission

ReStore

Our Vision

Contact Info

Connect wih Us

Menu

Menu

Board of Directors

Katie Jackson | President

More About Katie

Ila Vandel | Vice President

More About Ila

Cristy Gies

More About Cristy

Dustin Turner

More About Dustin

Denise Dunaway

More About Denise

Tiffani Claussen

More About Tiffani

Colby Keeth

More About Colby

Kelly Warren

More About Kelly

Kim Buche

More About Kim

Judy Bilyeu

More About Judy

Opportunities

Programs

Our Mission

ReStore

Our Vision

Contact Info

Connect wih Us