From Fox Hill to the Fundraising Front Lines of the Habitat Mission
Introducing Candace Montgomery, Director of Development
There’s a particular kind of person who finds their way to nonprofit work not through a straight line, but through a winding road that somehow makes perfect sense in hindsight. Candace Montgomery is that kind of person.
Habitat for Humanity Peninsula and Greater Williamsburg is proud to welcome Candace as its new Director of Development — and if you spend even a few minutes talking with her, you’ll understand quickly why she’s exactly the right fit for this role, at exactly the right time.
Rooted in Hampton Roads
Candace grew up in Hampton’s Fox Hill neighborhood, married her high school sweetheart, and has never strayed far from the region she calls home. That rootedness isn’t incidental — it’s part of what makes her tick. Hampton Roads, the Peninsula, and Greater Williamsburg isn’t just where she works. It’s where she lives, where she’s built a life with her husband, their son, and two golden retrievers she describes as their other children.
She’s the kind of person who shows up for a community because it’s hers — not because it’s a job description.
The Long Way Around
Candace’s professional story is one of following curiosity until passion clarifies. She studied exercise science at Old Dominion University, setting her sights on physical therapy. An internship at a retirement community changed the trajectory entirely.
“I found my passion in senior living and nonprofits,” she said simply.
But that realization didn’t happen overnight. After her internship, she moved to an orthopedic practice — only to discover that the administrative and community-facing side of things was where she truly came alive. She returned to senior living, eventually becoming a fitness director, and then stepped into a life enrichment director role.
It was in those roles — organizing very fitness-focused fundraising events, including efforts around Alzheimer’s awareness — that Candace got her first real taste of fundraising.
And she loved it. Not for what it raised, but for what it built.
“How can we bring different types of people together?” she said she thought then. “All different people — and help them feel like they are giving back for a greater good.”
She earned her MBA from Saint Leo University along the way, rounding out a background that bridges health, wellness, administration, and community engagement in a way that’s genuinely rare.
Why Habitat
When a friend connected Candace to Habitat for Humanity Peninsula and Greater Williamsburg CEO Shauntrice Williams and mentioned the open Director of Development position, Candace was at an inflection point — ready for the next chapter, ready to grow, ready to channel her experience into something she hadn’t tried before.
She did her homework. What she learned stopped her in her tracks.
“I learned so much about Habitat,” she said. “Home repairs. Helping seniors age in place. The depth of what this organization actually does.”
She applied. She got the job. And then something happened that she didn’t entirely expect: from day one, she felt the culture.
“What’s really been the most impactful thing for me — everyone is here for the same reason. Whether you’re at a ReStore or on a construction site, there’s that same sense of purpose and passion.”
In a sector where organizations can sometimes drift from their founding vision, Candace sees Habitat as a true nonprofit — to its core.
“At the end of the day, it’s about putting people first. That speaks to the culture of this place.”
What’s Next
Candace comes in with fresh eyes and clear intentions. She wants to be forward-facing in the community — present at events, partnering with local restaurants for spirit nights, showing up in the spaces where donors, volunteers, and future advocates are already gathering.
“Little things can still make an impact,” she said. “You never know who knows someone who can help us in the future.”
She’s also focused on storytelling — immersing herself in the history and heart of Habitat’s homeowner services, learning the names and faces behind every house built and purchased, and every repair made.
“There are people behind each house, each repair,” she said. “I’m moved by the fact that our mission has helped change people — set them up for future success.”
In a world full of worthy nonprofits doing important work, Candace believes Habitat occupies a rare space.
“A lot of nonprofits do great work for a greater good. Here, it’s a direct impact.”
We couldn’t agree more. Welcome to the team, Candace.
