Build Change Enters a New Era of Impact on Resilient Housing

Dear Build Change Friends and Supporters,

What an incredible 20 years! Full of impact, valued relationships, and most importantly, people safer from disasters.

This, our 20th Year of Impact, is also the time I’ve made the difficult and heartfelt decision to step aside from my role as CEO of Build Change.

Twenty years is an extraordinary milestone, and it’s the right moment for this change. I’m so proud of what we’ve accomplished: I’ve seen my vision come to life, which is a great thing. Disaster-resilient housing has become a reality on the ground for hundreds of thousands of people, and it has made its way onto the global development agendas.

I’m stepping aside at a moment at which Build Change has an outstanding reputation among our peers, partners, and funders.  Our financials are clean, and we are positioned for growth.  I’ll be handing over an organization that is healthy and ready to continue to advance our vision of making every home disaster-resilient.

I’m delighted to share that the Build Change Board of Directors has named Juan Caballero, Build Change’s Chief of Programs, as our new CEO.  

Juan is the ideal new leader for Build Change.  He has a natural ability to build relationships with all stakeholders, which is key to positive action on the ground and change at scale.  With Build Change’s recent expansions to Africa and the Middle East, our systems change victories in Colombia, and our innovative microfinance access in Philippines and Indonesia, the momentum continues to grow.

I am also proud we are bolstering our leadership through the creation of two new VP roles. Please join me in congratulating Manuela Pinilla Rodriguez on her promotion to Vice President of Programs, Latin America, and welcoming Jim Mellott as Vice President of Finance and Administration.

My gratitude to the Build Change Board, team, partners and supporters is extensive, sincere, and difficult to put into words.  It has been the privilege and honor of a professional lifetime to lead Build Change these 20 years.  Thank you for everything you have done for the cause of resilient housing, for the team at Build Change, and for me personally.

I will continue in an advisory and championing role during 2025, supporting Juan and the team during this transition.

I will always feel proud of and grateful for the ~$70M we’ve raised, the hundreds of millions we’ve leveraged into better housing, the systems we’ve changed, and the prestigious and trend-setting recognition and awards.

Yet it is the women living and thriving in better, safer, healthier housing that I will most truly miss.

With gratitude,

Elizabeth Hausler, Ph.D.
Founder and Former CEO, Build Change