Habitat Forsyth welcomes new board members
Habitat for Humanity of Forsyth County welcomes four new members to its Board of Directors, and new leadership on the executive committee. The new leaders’ term begins on July 1, 2026, helping guide Habitat Forsyth in its mission of expanding homeownership opportunities, advancing racial equity, and engaging the community. Board members serve for a term of 3 years.
Joining the Habitat Forsyth board are:
John A. Butler, Wake Forest University
Eric Hermanson, Piedmont Federal
LaGail Lowe, City of Winston Salem
Tremona Purvis, Winston Salem/ Forsyth County Schools
Executive Committee of the Board
The Habitat Board of Directors recently elected the slate of officers to begin their service on July 1, 2026. These individuals will all serve on the Executive Committee of the Board for the next twelve months:
Board President – Heidi Schoonover, Managing Director of CRA Strategic Programs & Initiatives at Truist Bank
Vice President – John Gizdic, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Novant Health
Board Secretary – Sharon Winters, Community Volunteer
Board Treasurer – Conner Phillips, Chief Operating Officer, Capital Development Services
“Habitat thanks the individuals serving the board this year,” said Paola Candelaria, Habitat Interim ED. “They have all played a key part in our success to serve families in the Forsyth community. We are grateful for the impact each makes on our organization.”
About the Board:
Habitat Forsyth’s board members serve as guardians of our mission; they approve and uphold the vision, values, and organizational direction by developing strategic plans and setting long-term priorities by way of budgeting, fundraising support, operational governance, and elevating Habitat’s mission by serving as community ambassadors.
See a full list of the Habitat Forsyth board members on our Board of Directors page.
Meet the Newest Board Members
Currently, John serves as Professor of the Practice at Wake Forest University, where he teaches graduate and senior-level business courses focused on enterprise risk management, valuation, accounting systems, and financial strategy. In addition to academia, he recently served as Partner at Crosland Southeast, leading the expansion of the company’s affordable housing division across the Southeast.
Under his leadership, Crosland Southeast developed and financed multiple affordable housing communities totaling hundreds of units and more than $300 million in development activity. These projects utilized complex financing structures including 4% and 9% Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC), public-private partnerships, bond financing, and layered capital stacks. His work has focused not only on housing production, but also on creating holistic, community-centered developments that improve long-term economic mobility for residents.
In addition to a successful career in banking, Eric has served on multiple local boards and committees including the Lewisville Clemmons Chamber of Commerce, Clemmons Food Pantry, Goodwill BAC, and SG Atkins Women’s Business Advisory Committee, providing leadership and insight on initiatives that support economic development, community growth, and financial well-being.
Passionate about empowering individuals and families, Eric partners with local companies, non-profits, and educational institutions to deliver financial wellness programs, helping people build the knowledge and confidence needed to make informed financial decisions. Through this work, Eric has become a trusted advocate for financial empowerment and a collaborative leader in the Winston Salem area.
LaGail Lowe is a dedicated Community Support Worker with decades of experience enhancing community well-being. She is experienced in engagement, crisis intervention, and resource coordination, and has comprehensive experience in business operations, project management, office administration, information management/technology, and a full range of acquisition activities.
A 22 year veteran of the United States Air Force, she served in the US and abroad as a military/government liaison and technical authority, developing and managing policies and procedures for information technology systems at 14 stateside and 12 overseas locations as well as leading program management and oversight of large scale Air Force contracts.
She is currently the Supervisor of the City of Winston-Salem’s Information Technology department’s Administration Division, providing guidance on project management, budgetary items, work plans, and new technology ventures.
She has proven leadership in education, civic engagement, youth empowerment, trauma-informed advocacy, and community transformation. She is the founder of multiple community-centered initiatives impacting hundreds of girls, women, families, and grieving mothers throughout North Carolina. She has been recognized for compassionate leadership, mentorship, coalition building, public speaking, and creating innovative programs focused on healing, empowerment, and educational equity.
