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Serina Gaston has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of Habitat for Humanity of Bucks County. Gaston brings more than 20 years of experience developing programs and initiatives that support underserved communities, along with deep expertise in strategic planning, grant funding, nonprofit leadership, and affordable housing. Most recently, she has been the Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity of the Greater Harrisburg Area. Gaston strengthened the organization’s financial position by increasing its operating budget and securing new partnerships with corporations, foundations, municipalities, and community organizations. These efforts led to significant growth in grant funding and donations, expanding affordable housing opportunities and increasing the number of families served. “On behalf of the Board of Directors, I am delighted to welcome Serina Gaston as the next Chief Executive Officer of Habitat for Humanity of Bucks County,” said Board President Michael Wilson. “Serina’s exceptional leadership, strategic vision, and deep commitment to strengthening communities position her to build on our strong foundation as we expand our impact and help more families achieve the stability and opportunity that come with affordable homeownership.” Her professional and community service accomplishments have earned numerous honors, including the 2023 YWCA Women of Excellence Award and the 2026 Alumni Achievement Award from the School of Behavioral Sciences and Education at Penn State Harrisburg. She has also served on several nonprofit and community boards, including United Way of Pennsylvania, where she is currently serving her final term as Nominating Chair, as well as the American Heart Association and the Health Education Advisory Board for Penn State Harrisburg. “I am honored to join Habitat for Humanity of Bucks County as its next Chief Executive Officer,” Gaston said. “When families have a place to call home, children thrive, communities grow stronger, and futures are transformed.” “Habitat Bucks has a remarkable legacy of bringing people together to create lasting change and I am excited to build upon that legacy. My vision is to expand our impact, strengthen community partnerships, and create innovative housing solutions that help families achieve homeownership and enable older adults to age in place safely and with dignity,” Gaston added. Gaston combines expertise in business, public health, and leadership development. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from West Chester University, a Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Health Education from Penn State University, and a Certificate in Human Resource Management from Villanova University, providing a diverse foundation for leading mission-driven organizations. She will assume her responsibilities as CEO for Habitat for Humanity of Bucks County on August 3, 2026. Florence Kawoczka, retiring CEO, will remain with Habitat Bucks through August 14, 2026, to support the transition. Habitat for Humanity of Bucks County engaged Kittleman & Associates to conduct a search for its new CEO. Kittleman & Associates is a national executive search firm that specializes in the recruitment of CEOs for tax-exempt nonprofit organizations, public charities and philanthropic organizations. About Habitat Bucks: Habitat for Humanity of Bucks County’s mission is simple: Building Communities, Empowering Families. Since 1990, Habitat Bucks has built or fully renovated 137 homes in Bucks County through its Homeownership Program, providing first-time homebuyers the opportunity to build strength, stability and self-reliance. Its Home Repair Program provides affordable home repairs and accessibility modifications for low-income homeowners, impacting more than 500 households since 2011. Habitat Bucks also has a financial empowerment program, Almost Home, where over 470 participants have saved more than $323,000 and reduced their debt by $195,000 since 2016. Additionally, Habitat Bucks coordinates three ReStores, Habitat’s brand of donation center. Revenue from its three ReStores provides a source of sustainable funding for the construction and repair of homes.
Serina Gaston has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of Habitat for Humanity of Bucks County. Gaston brings more than 20 years of experience developing programs and initiatives that support underserved communities, along with deep expertise in strategic planning, grant funding, nonprofit leadership, and affordable housing.
Most recently, she has been the Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity of the Greater Harrisburg Area. Gaston strengthened the organization’s financial position by increasing its operating budget and securing new partnerships with corporations, foundations, municipalities, and community organizations. These efforts led to significant growth in grant funding and donations, expanding affordable housing opportunities and increasing the number of families served.
“On behalf of the Board of Directors, I am delighted to welcome Serina Gaston as the next Chief Executive Officer of Habitat for Humanity of Bucks County,” said Board President Michael Wilson. “Serina’s exceptional leadership, strategic vision, and deep commitment to strengthening communities position her to build on our strong foundation as we expand our impact and help more families achieve the stability and opportunity that come with affordable homeownership.”
Her professional and community service accomplishments have earned numerous honors, including the 2023 YWCA Women of Excellence Award and the 2026 Alumni Achievement Award from the School of Behavioral Sciences and Education at Penn State Harrisburg. She has also served on several nonprofit and community boards, including United Way of Pennsylvania, where she is currently serving her final term as Nominating Chair, as well as the American Heart Association and the Health Education Advisory Board for Penn State Harrisburg.
“I am honored to join Habitat for Humanity of Bucks County as its next Chief Executive Officer,” Gaston said. “When families have a place to call home, children thrive, communities grow stronger, and futures are transformed.”
“Habitat Bucks has a remarkable legacy of bringing people together to create lasting change and I am excited to build upon that legacy. My vision is to expand our impact, strengthen community partnerships, and create innovative housing solutions that help families achieve homeownership and enable older adults to age in place safely and with dignity,” Gaston added.
Gaston combines expertise in business, public health, and leadership development. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from West Chester University, a Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Health Education from Penn State University, and a Certificate in Human Resource Management from Villanova University, providing a diverse foundation for leading mission-driven organizations.
She will assume her responsibilities as CEO for Habitat for Humanity of Bucks County on August 3, 2026. Florence Kawoczka, retiring CEO, will remain with Habitat Bucks through August 14, 2026, to support the transition.
Habitat for Humanity of Bucks County engaged Kittleman & Associates to conduct a search for its new CEO. Kittleman & Associates is a national executive search firm that specializes in the recruitment of CEOs for tax-exempt nonprofit organizations, public charities and philanthropic organizations.
About Habitat Bucks: Habitat for Humanity of Bucks County’s mission is simple: Building Communities, Empowering Families. Since 1990, Habitat Bucks has built or fully renovated 137 homes in Bucks County through its Homeownership Program, providing first-time homebuyers the opportunity to build strength, stability and self-reliance. Its Home Repair Program provides affordable home repairs and accessibility modifications for low-income homeowners, impacting more than 500 households since 2011. Habitat Bucks also has a financial empowerment program, Almost Home, where over 470 participants have saved more than $323,000 and reduced their debt by $195,000 since 2016. Additionally, Habitat Bucks coordinates three ReStores, Habitat’s brand of donation center. Revenue from its three ReStores provides a source of sustainable funding for the construction and repair of homes.