Director of Community Outreach, Show-Me Central Habitat for Humanity 

Ashley Switzer’s resume is filled with Habitat for Humanity. She has worked in various roles for organizations in Texas, Washington, and Florida. The blip on the screen is what brought her to Columbia in 2018 – a yearlong stint as engagement coordinator for Mizzou Student Affairs’ Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity Division. But in 2019, she joined Show-Me Central Habitat for Humanity. 

“Ashley is someone that every community across the United States would want to have,” says Madeline Zwicke Dalman, executive director of Habitat of Humanity of San Antonio and Guadelupe Valley in Texas. “She works hard and is involved in so many different areas to help make where she lives a better place.” 

Ashley is responsible for recruiting, training, and retaining volunteers, fundraising and donor relations, and handles public speaking engagements, media relations, and community events. She manages Habitat’s ReStore and is active with multiple Columbia organizations.   

Austin View, Show-Me Habitat’s executive director, considers Ashley to be a major asset for the organization.  

“She has helped us build our network of supporters, improve volunteer experiences, and expand what we thought was possible,” he says. “We like to say that she is the heart of our organization, but she is so much more.” 

Last year, Ashley was the driving force behind Habitat’s 2023 national Blitz Build. She coordinated the effort that built four new homes in the Boone Prairie subdivision in a mere ten days. The effort required recruiting 1,000 volunteers from Columbia and across the U.S., raise money to build the homes, feed and house volunteers, raise in-kind donations of equipment and supplies, and market the massive undertaking.  

“My favorite part of my job is being the person our families feel like they can text after they move in with silly pictures, saying ‘Look what my kid did in the backyard today’ or ‘This is my dog next to our first Christmas tree in the new house,’” Ashley says. “Because they know I care, and I am genuinely excited to see them loving their space.”  

Next up? Launching “Women Build,” empowering women to build community, and “The House That Education Built,” to cultivate a new generation of volunteers. Keep up with Ashley if you can.

Age: 36

Fun Fact:

Ashley’s home overflows with dachshunds — figurines, décor, artwork, and two bowtie-wearing live ones, rescue wiener dogs, Aldo and Seymour.