News

Housing Assistance Corp. hires new executive director

Margaret Fenton Lebeck is the new executive director of the Housing Assitance Corp.

By Lightning Reports, Published: July 1, 2024

Margaret Fenton Lebeck has been hired as executive director of the Housing Assistance Corp. effective today, the nonprofit announced.

After an extensive search led by the nonprofit-focused search firm Armstrong McGuire, Lebeck emerged as the top candidate HAC said in a news release, citing her experience, knowledge, leadership and passion.

HAC focuses on providing safe, affordable workforce housing through enhanced project management, creative funding initiatives and community relationship development.

In more than 10 years of professional experience non-profits, Lebeck has served as executive director for Love Light + Melody, operations/projects manager, and manager/chief of staff for the Global Ministries of the United Methodist Church and UMCOR USA.

Led in recent months by interim executive director Susan Frady, HAC has made strides to meet the rapidly expanding need for affordable workforce housing within its tri-county reach.

"Susan Frady has been a true leader for HAC,” board chair Stephen Wilkie said. “A ‘true leader’ has the ability to encourage and guide others towards a common goal while cultivating integrity and confidence amongst their peers. We also have great confidence in Ms. Lebeck’s long history of leadership and are excited for the future of HAC with her at the helm.”
Lebeck holds a master’s degree in Peace, Conflict and Development and completed a certificate in managerial leadership at Goizuetta Business School of Emory University. She also earned bachelor’s degrees in anthropology/sociology and photojournalism and French, is a recipient of the Rotary International World Peace Fellowship and the Fulbright Award and is a member of Phi Beta Kappa.

“I am thrilled to join the HAC team as the executive director during this crucial period for housing in Western North Carolina,” she said. “I am eager to lead the partnerships and projects that will continue the organization's legacy of transformative change.”