Welcome back to A Good Pour! I’m Kathryn Good, and today, we’re shining a light on someone who’s making waves in our community—Kate Ritchie, the powerhouse behind Habitat for Humanity of Sumner County. I’ve known Kate since our college days, and watching her grow into the leader she is today has been such a joy. From her early dreams to her incredible work now, Kate’s story is all about turning passion into real, lasting impact.
From Marketing Major to Nonprofit Champion
Kate’s journey started at the University of Texas, where she earned her marketing degree, but her heart was always drawn to making a difference. After finishing her MBA, she didn’t take the traditional business route. Instead, she dove into nonprofit work and found her sweet spot with Habitat for Humanity in April 2020. “It’s my favorite nonprofit,” Kate says. “It just makes sense—it’s sustainable, and the good it brings to the community is incredible.”
Building More Than Houses
Habitat for Humanity’s mission is simple: making sure everyone has a decent place to live. But in Sumner County, that mission has taken on a whole new life under Kate’s leadership. She’s been the driving force behind Pafford Place, the first neighborhood development project Habitat’s ever done in the area. Ten homes, all in one community, represent a huge step forward in how Habitat operates locally. “We’re building more, building better, and serving more people,” Kate says, excited about how this model can grow in the future.
Weathering the Storm: Tornado Recovery
When Sumner County was hit by a devastating tornado, Kate and her team stepped up in a big way. “It’s been a huge challenge,” Kate admits, “but Habitat International has been amazing in helping us navigate the recovery process.” While organizations like United Way and FEMA handle immediate relief, Habitat focuses on long-term solutions—repairing underinsured homes and rebuilding where needed. The work is slow, but it’s essential, and it’s clear that Habitat is making a lasting difference for families who were affected.
Tackling the Affordable Housing Crisis
Housing affordability is a massive issue, not just here but across the country. “We’re 4 million houses short nationwide,” Kate shares, highlighting the staggering need. Locally, families working full-time still struggle to afford decent homes, which is where Habitat steps in—offering affordable mortgages and hands-on support to help people achieve homeownership. It’s about more than building houses; it’s about changing lives.
Defining Good Work
For Kate, good work isn’t just about hitting targets or fulfilling a mission—it’s about transformation. “Good work means getting someone to a place they never thought they could reach,” she says. Habitat’s programs do exactly that. Families who come to Habitat often leave not only with a home but also with a renewed sense of possibility, confidence, and hope for the future.
Bridging Business and Nonprofit Impact
Kate is passionate about the role businesses can play in nonprofit work. She believes there’s a lot of untapped potential for businesses to lend their expertise to causes that matter. “We need more businesses to step up, whether it’s through board service, donations, or just sharing their knowledge,” she explains. Every bit of support helps Habitat reach more families and build stronger communities.
The Restore: Where Sustainability and Giving Meet
One of the coolest parts of Habitat’s work is the Restore. If you’ve never been, it’s kind of like a mini Home Depot meets a furniture store—offering everything from building supplies to gently used furniture. “The Restore helps fund our work, and it keeps stuff out of landfills,” Kate says. It’s a win-win for the community and the planet.
Investing in Talent
Kate is a big believer in the importance of paying nonprofit workers what they’re worth. “Nonprofits are businesses too,” she says. “We’re putting money back into the community, and we need talented, driven people to keep that going.” By offering competitive wages and supporting her team, Kate ensures that Habitat’s impact remains strong.
Looking Toward the Future
Even with all the challenges ahead, Kate’s optimism is contagious. “The need for affordable housing isn’t going anywhere,” she says, “but neither are we.” Habitat has big plans, and under Kate’s leadership, there’s no doubt they’ll keep building homes and changing lives for years to come.
Kate’s journey with Habitat for Humanity of Sumner County is a beautiful reminder that good work can truly transform communities. Whether it’s building homes, supporting families, or rallying businesses to get involved, Kate is leading the charge. Want to get involved? You can volunteer, donate, or even just shop at the Restore—all of it helps make the dream of homeownership a reality for more families.
Thanks for joining us on A Good Pour today. Let’s all take a page from Kate’s book and find ways to make a real difference in our communities! Until next time, keep doing good work.