A long-standing partnership between Whirlpool Corporation and Habitat for Humanity has taken on a new dimension, as Marc Bitzer, Chairman and CEO of Whirlpool, has been elected to the board of directors of Habitat for Humanity International.
The announcement, made this week by the global nonprofit housing organization, marks a significant milestone in the decades-long relationship between Whirlpool and Habitat. Benton Harbor-based Whirlpool has been a consistent supporter of Habitat since 1999, contributing millions of dollars and more than 250,000 appliances to affordable homes around the world.
“I am thrilled to welcome Marc to our board of directors,” said Jonathan Reckford, CEO of Habitat for Humanity International. “Marc brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise in corporate leadership and social impact, as well as a deep commitment to addressing global housing challenges through meaningful, cross-sector collaboration. This milestone reflects Habitat’s strategic engagement with trusted partners and further strengthens our longstanding collaboration with Whirlpool Corporation.”
Bitzer, who joined Whirlpool in 1999 and rose through its European and North American operations before being named CEO in 2017 and Chairman in 2019, said the appointment is both a professional honor and a personal passion.
“It is an honor to join the Habitat for Humanity International board,” Bitzer said. “Our quarter century of work with Habitat, impacting more than one million people worldwide, demonstrates the interconnectedness of home appliances and housing in improving lives. Together, we’re helping build and improve homes, communities and lives, which is key to Whirlpool Corporation’s social responsibility strategy, and I look forward to helping the organization continue its important mission.”
Whirlpool’s commitment to Habitat has gone well beyond monetary donations. The company has mobilized employee volunteers, engaged in disaster response efforts, supported advocacy campaigns, and invested in initiatives like the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project and BuildBetter with Whirlpool, which promotes energy-efficient and climate-resilient housing.
Habitat for Humanity’s international board of directors is tasked with setting policy and guiding the organization’s work in more than 70 countries. Directors are elected to two-year terms, with the option to serve up to four consecutive terms.
Bitzer’s global business experience and history of civic engagement align with Habitat’s goals, especially as the nonprofit continues to expand its reach and impact.
Rosa Skinner, Whirlpool Corporation Senior Global Manager of CSR & Community Relations commented on social media:
“I’ve had the privilege of managing our global relationship with Habitat for Humanity for many years. I’ve witnessed firsthand the incredible impact of this collaboration. Marc Bitzer’s appointment is a reflection of Whirlpool’s deep and longstanding commitment to Habitat’s mission of building a world where everyone has a decent place to live. I’m excited to see how Marc’s leadership can help advance the work of this remarkable organization.”
Headline photo: Marc Bitzer at a Habitat work project, courtesy7 of Habitat for Humanity
