CATHERINE STIHLER
Chief Executive Officer
Catherine Stihler is a distinguished leader, adept community builder, campaigner and advocate.
Over the past five years Catherine has successfully led two global not for profits; the Open Knowledge Foundation and Creative Commons. Her visionary thinking, strategic focus and financial acumen propelled both organizations to noteworthy success.
With a career including two decades at the forefront of European policy creation and decision making, she uniquely bridges regulation and innovation, helping organizations understand compliance and achieve their strategic goals. She served as the 52nd Rector of the University of St Andrews and was the first elected Senior Lay Member of the governing body of the university where her expertise in board governance and effectiveness have been praised.
Catherine is excited about making a practical difference in her new local community. Her husband grew up in Monterey County and they moved back from Scotland with their family in 2021. She currently serves as Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee at Stevenson School and sits on the Filecoin Foundation Advisory Board.
831-469-4663 Ext 11 || cstihler@habitatmontereybay.org
TRACY NEW
Chief Financial Officer
Tracy joins Habitat Monterey Bay with an impressive track record in public sector finance, most recently serving as Director of Finance and Budget for the Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission.
With deep expertise in financial strategy, managing complex public sector finances, budget oversight, and operational transparency, Tracy brings a passion for public service that aligns powerfully with Habitat’s mission.
In her role as CFO, Tracy oversees Habitat’s financial planning and stewardship of donor and partner resources, ensuring long-term sustainability as the organization scales up its efforts to build and preserve affordable homes, revitalize neighborhoods, and empower more families through homeownership.
831-469-4663 || tracy@habitatmontereybay.org
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LYNDSEY MARKS
Director of Resource Development - Santa Cruz County
Lyndsey joined Habitat in August 2022 and brings 20 years of nonprofit fundraising, events, and volunteer management to her role at Habitat. Working in Silicon Valley for 13 years and then blissfully exchanging that commute for local nonprofit engagement, she greatly enjoys serving her local community. She is passionate about the mission of Habitat as her own journey with homeownership wasn’t easy or straightforward.
Lyndsey earned her bachelor’s at UC Santa Barbara and then enjoyed two years in “The Big Apple” earning her Master’s from New York University. While the city can be fun, Lyndsey says she is a nature lover and small-town person at heart. She has lived in Santa Cruz County for over 20 years and loves calling it home. In her free time, she enjoys getting outdoors, running trails, hiking, reading a book on the beach, and spending time with friends. She also enjoys getting up to San Francisco, our Bay Area “Big City” to see theater and live performances. You might also catch her performing in local theater productions, as she takes the stage from time to time herself.
831-469-4663 Ext 16 || lyndsey@habitatmontereybay.org
HELEN DE YOUNG
Director of Resource Development - Monterey County
Helen de Young brings years of leadership experience with a clear focus on fundraising, marketing and communications. As Habitat Monterey Bay expands its ambitions in Monterey County, Helen, a long-term resident of Salinas, is poised to raise Habitat’s profile and reach in service of our mission of building homes, communities and hope.
Habitat's strategic vision for 2024-2027 includes clear goals for expanding our reach in Monterey County. In her new role, Helen spearheads these efforts to expand Habitat’s presence and partnerships in Monterey County, helping to secure vital resources that enable the organization to build and repair homes, strengthen neighborhoods, and foster hope.
831-469-4663 || helen@habitatmontereybay.org
DAVID TAUSHECK
Director of Finance and HR
David is a mission-driven financial professional with over 25 years of accounting and administrative experience. David has worked in a wide variety of industries, from private equity to nonprofits, from construction to public aquariums. At Habitat for Humanity Monterey Bay, he encounters a wide range of challenges on a daily basis, from human resources to finance and accounting.
He’s proud to be part of the Habitat for Humanity Monterey Bay team, helping families and individuals move into affordable homes and build strong communities.
When he isn’t crunching numbers, you’re likely to find David near water whenever possible, either enjoying sailing on the surface or diving below.
831-469-4663 Ext 12 || dtausheck@habitatmontereybay.org
GABBY RUBIO
Director of ReStores
Gabby has been an integral part of Habitat for Humanity Monterey Bay since September 2016. She played a crucial role in the successful launch of both the Seaside and Watsonville ReStore locations, bringing with her a wealth of knowledge in daily store operations and experience in financial management. Originally from the LA area, Gabby made the move to Monterey to pursue her education at CSUMB, where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology.
Her meticulous attention to detail, coupled with her exceptional interpersonal skills, has enabled her to forge meaningful connections within the Monterey Bay community. Gabby is deeply passionate about Habitat for Humanity’s mission and is dedicated to ensuring that families have access to safe and secure housing. Her commitment to this cause drives her to continually seek innovative ways to support the organization’s efforts.
When she isn’t working, Gabby loves to explore the stunning landscapes and delightful culinary offerings of Monterey Bay. Whether hiking along the coast or savoring a meal at a local restaurant, she always enjoys her adventures with her beloved dog by her side.
831-272-4781 || gabby@hrestoremb.org
CATHY WYLIE
Director of Operations
Cathy joined Habitat Monterey Bay in April of 2007 bringing with her 15 years of experience as a legal assistant. Over the past sixteen years, she has worked with fellow staff members, Directors of the Board, and volunteers in helping 38 families realize the dream of homeownership. She also helped develop the My House My Home program enabling 3 Santa Cruz seniors to age in place by building accessory dwelling units on their properties.
In 2020 Cathy relocated to Washington State where she resides with her husband. She has three adult sons in California, Nevada, and Idaho. Cathy is an avid gardener and cook. Upon purchasing their new home on the Olympic Peninsula, Cathy began the rejuvenation of their neglected 1-acre lot and added a large vegetable garden. She also enjoys exploring area farms and cooking using local ingredients from the land and sea. Using her love of cooking, she is writing a cookbook.
831-469-4663 || cathy@habitatmontereybay.org
ALLIE WILSON
Volunteer and Event Manager
Allie has held the position as Volunteer and Event Manager since 2018, providing strategic direction for volunteer engagement and special events. She believes in the power of volunteerism to empower and enrich residents in our community. As a proud member of the Habitat for Humanity team , she says she enjoys working in tandem with staff, Board, and volunteers to provide homeownership to qualified, deserving families.
Allie attended Youngstown State University and UC Boulder with a concentration in Cultural Anthropology. As a young adult, she owned a chain of fast-food restaurants, Yello Submarine Foods, Inc., in OH and CO. She utilizes this experience to do amazing catering work for Habitat events. She has had a diverse career, from working as an Investor Accountant in residential mortgage banking to serving in many roles within the nonprofit sector.
Allie's leisure time includes travel and gatherings with family and friends; performing and culinary arts, and walks along Monterey Bay. She volunteers her time with Kuumbwa Jazz Center and the Monterey Jazz Festival. As a self-taught jewelry designer, she launched Allie Wilson Jewelry Arts, in 1985.
831.469.4663 Ext 15 || allie@habitatmontereybay.org
SCOTT THOMAS
Grant Program Manager
Scott is a reliable and experienced community builder and affordable housing advocate.
Scott attended the University of California at Santa Cruz from 2015-2019 graduating from Merrill College with a B.A. in Philosophy. Since graduating from school, Scott has been a resident of Santa Cruz working for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Cruz County and two Santa Cruz non-profit housing providers: Mercy Housing of the Santa Cruz & San Jose region and MJ Housing and Services at Mission Gardens Apartments. He enjoyed serving Santa Cruz families to help them thrive independently in their safe, affordable, and healthy homes.
Originally, Scott was raised in Washington D.C. and is the oldest of three children. Outside of work, Scott sits on the Santa Cruz Police Chief’s Advisory Committee and has volunteered with the Center for Public Philosophy, Meals on Wheels and The Ronald McDonald House. In his spare time, Scott will play golf or some sort of racket sport, enjoy the Santa Cruz water and travel to new countries. Scott speaks Spanish fluently and has an orange cat named Rex.
831-246-6863 || scott@habitatmontereybay.org