Patti Wang Cross
Habitat for Humanity East Bay/Silicon Valley
510-803-3348 (office) | 510-219-0088 (mobile)
PWCross@HabitatEBSV.org
Habitat for Humanity Welcomes Four New Directors
New Voices Join the Leadership Team in East Bay and Silicon Valley
OAKLAND, CALIF. (August 13, 2026) — Celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, Habitat for Humanity East Bay/Silicon Valley is looking to its leadership to set a course for the decades to come. Recently, the nonprofit brought on four new members to its Board of Directors, whose broad range of experience and expertise are a welcome boon in navigating one of the nation’s toughest housing markets in particularly challenging times.
As Chief Lending Officer for Housing Trust Silicon Valley, Nick Friend has close to two decades of experience in community lending and affordable housing finance. He is eager to support Habitat East Bay/Silicon Valley in expanding its impact, exploring new avenues for development and financing, and continuing to build concrete change in partnership with the community. Mr. Friend brings to the board a background in housing, broad nonprofit expertise, and an enthusiasm for making purpose-driven connections.
Michael Kim joins the Board with the unique perspective of a practicing physician who has for years witnessed the impact of stable housing on total health. He is excited to take a leadership role in a mission that brings together his professional and his deeply-held personal values, while offering a background in nonprofit and organizational governance in both his career and his faith community, as well as a history of advocating for public policy that moves missions forward.
A longtime leader in commercial real estate finance and risk management, Joan Uhler brings an extensive background in risk analysis and critical decision-making to the Board. In addition, she has devoted her spare time to causes of the heart, including serving on nonprofit boards for community educational institutions. Since her retirement, you can often find Ms. Uhler on Habitat construction sites in the East Bay, or supporting our efforts to grow our planned giving program.
While his role as Partner and Chief Revenue Officer at BPM brings a wide skill set in sales, marketing, mentorship, and relationship-building, John Weems also offers a passion and breadth of experience in community service. Whether in his 10+ years as a Presbyterian Minister or his volunteerism in the community—from Los Angeles to the Gulf Coast, Zimbabwe to Guatemala, and here in the Bay Area—Mr. Weems has long sought ways to address society's most pressing concerns. He looks forward to engaging more deeply in a mission that builds long-term, sustainable solutions to the housing crisis.
“Affordable housing continues to present a daily emergency in our region, and judicious, creative, committed governance is critical to our ability to serve,” said Janice Jensen, President and CEO of Habitat for Humanity East Bay/Silicon Valley. “With these strong new leaders joining our Board, we are facing our future with confidence.”
Habitat East Bay/Silicon Valley board members serve two-year terms, during which they participate in strategic and budget planning, stewardship of resources, organizational oversight, and more. Ultimately, they work to ensure the organization’s effectiveness, sustainability, and adherence to its mission to build homes, communities, and hope.
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY EAST BAY/SILICON VALLEY has been working with the communities of Alameda, Contra Costa, and Santa Clara counties since 1986, advancing affordability and opportunity through housing. With the partnership of volunteers, supporters, advocates, and clients, we build, preserve, and prepare people for homeownership – and the transformative potential that comes with it.
Access to homeownership is a critical driver of improved economic, health, educational, social, and generational outcomes. Habitat East Bay/Silicon Valley’s model runs on community generosity, government investment, and client partnership to build a world where everyone has a decent place to live.
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