Habitat Vail Valley Promotes Three Leaders After John Welaj Resignation

Aspen —Habitat for Humanity Vail Valley announced Thursday the promotion of three longtime leaders — Elyse Howard, Emily Peyton, and Kalie Palmer — marking a significant leadership transition following the resignation of John Welaj earlier this summer.

The move is designed to stabilize the organization as it approaches a major milestone: building its 200th home by the end of 2028. According to the Vail Daily, each of the three promoted leaders has served with the nonprofit for more than 20 years. Their collective experience is intended to bridge the gap left by Welaj, who spent 18 years at the helm.

Howard and Peyton will now share the top spot, serving as co-presidents. This dual-leadership model splits responsibilities based on their distinct strengths. Howard, now the Chief Operating Officer, will focus on fundraising and advocacy. Her role involves navigating complex relationships with state and national bodies, as well as local developers and government entities. She is tasked with securing the capital necessary to keep the pipeline of affordable homes moving.

Peyton, as Chief Financial Officer, will drive the financial innovation that has become a hallmark of the organization’s recent work. Her tenure includes leading the pilot modular project at Adam’s Way, a first-of-its-kind initiative that united the Eagle County School District, the Town of Eagle, county government, and the Colorado Department of Housing to create affordable housing for school employees. That project exemplifies the kind of creative community partnership and financing strategy Peyton is expected to expand upon in her new role.

Kalie Palmer has been elevated to Vice President of Human Resources. The board cites her multiyear commitment to strategic planning and forward-thinking organizational design as key reasons for the promotion. In a rapidly growing nonprofit, her oversight of internal operations and staff development is critical to maintaining momentum.

Pete Thompson, chairman of the Habitat Vail Valley board of directors, expressed confidence in the new team. “We could not be better poised to take Habitat Vail Valley to even greater heights, and we are deeply grateful to John for his longevity with Habitat,” Thompson said. He highlighted the instrumental roles Howard and Peyton have already played in the organization’s strategic growth, signaling that this transition is less about change and more about consolidation of existing leadership.

The stakes for this transition are high. Since its founding in 1995, Habitat Vail Valley has built 186 homes. It stands as one of the only builders of permanently affordable homeownership in Eagle County. Between 1995 and 2024, the organization poured more than $35 million into affordable homeownership infrastructure. Looking forward, the board projects another $35 million investment into the community by the end of 2028.

As the valley continues to grapple with a persistent housing crisis, the success of this leadership team will be measured in concrete results. The goal is clear: reach 200 homes. With two decades of institutional knowledge now concentrated in the C-suite, the organization believes the path is open. As Thompson put it, the board looks forward to the continued growth and success of the organization, leaving the final word on the future to the leaders themselves.