Helping Others is at the Heart of Her Success

The organization builds homes for families that need them, using volunteer contractors and “sweat equity” from the future homeowners. McCauley started at Habitat in 2016, signing on as a development coordinator. She came from a leadership position at the Friends of the Venice Public Library, where she’d been for 11 years and held the title of executive director.

While — at least in terms of title — it looked like a step down on the nonprofit version of the corporate ladder, McCauley took the offer from Habitat and didn’t look back, for it was a chance for her to finally follow her heart.

“When I was in high school, my friends and I were members of different volunteer clubs,” said McCauley. “Once I went off to college, my love for helping others had not changed.”

McCauley then majored in communication and studied writing at UT, thinking she would work in the media industry when she graduated. She thrived in UT’s small classes, which she loved “because I was able to get to know my professors and peers on more of a personal level,” she said.

McCauley used her communication skills when she worked for the library group, but she felt like she was missing her true calling to help other people. Now at Habitat, McCauley says she has found a place that combines her skills and her passion. A bonus is that making the transition was even easier than she imagined.

“I had no issue switching to a new field,” said McCauley. “I use a lot of marketing and public relations techniques while fundraising.”

Now that she’s the CEO/executive director for Habitat for Humanity South Sarasota County, fundraising is a large part of her life. The organization is trying to recover from setbacks incurred during the pandemic. In 2020, COVID-19 slowed the construction of new homes.

“It really affected our ability to help out families,” said McCauley.

Prior to 2020, Habitat built eight to 10 homes per year in southern Sarasota County. During the pandemic, it was closer to five to seven. Now, that number has bounced back.

“We are back on our regular schedule,” McCauley said. “We are returning to a new normal and are excited at the possibilities moving forward.”