Nancy Lee
Executive Director
Nancy Lee joined the Habitat for Humanity South Carolina team as the Executive Director in 2019, after prior tenures with Charleston Habitat for Humanity and Richmond Metropolitan Habitat for Humanity. Nancy supports housing efforts across the Palmetto State’s 46 counties, as the leader representing and bringing together the state’s collective Habitat network. She strengthens advocacy for affordable homeownership, enhances recognition of housing’s economic and societal impacts, and oversees Habitat’s regional and statewide partnerships. As a nonprofit executive with 18 years of service, Nancy is well-versed in the intersection of housing with health, education, workforce development, and wealth-building.
Nancy has organized collaboration among nonprofits, state and local government, state agencies, and national stakeholders to identify needed assistance for individuals and entities hit hardest by the pandemic. In 2020, a COVID-19 Mortgage Relief program was created in partnership with the One SC Fund, assisting Habitat households in 11 counties. In support of the SC CARES Nonprofit Grant Program, Nancy volunteered as one of nine partners assisting nonprofits and small businesses apply for $65 million in pandemic relief. She served as a FEMA liaison to keep nonprofits supplied with personal protective equipment (PPE) throughout COVID-19, organizing distribution of more than $2 million in PPE to nonprofits, churches, and childcare centers across SC. Under her leadership, the Habitat for Humanity network in South Carolina successfully advocated for the creation of a federal homeowner assistance fund, which amounted to $145 million in mortgage assistance via the American Rescue Plan Act (SC Mortgage Rescue Program). The team was also a vocal advocate for $25 million in mortgage and rental assistance via CDBG-CV funding (SC Stay).
Presenting on nonprofit and housing issues, she’s been a guest speaker at Wake Forest University, Virginia’s Joint Leadership Council of Veterans Service Organizations, Furman University, Habitat for Humanity International, South Carolina Housing Attainability Forum, South Carolina Chamber of Commerce’s Workforce Symposium, and the Rural Resources Coalition of SC. Her professional work has been quoted in the Associated Press, The Washington Post, US News, Fox Business, Nonprofit Sector News, Builder Magazine, HUD.gov, and The Chronicle of Philanthropy. She volunteers on the Coalition for Home Repair Advocacy Task Force, the Habitat for Humanity International U.S. Council Advocacy Federal Subcommittee, South Carolina Home Attainability Forum, and Together SC Advocacy Allies Leadership Team.
In 2022, Nancy was recognized by The State’s 20 Under 40 Class and SC Biz News Icons & Phenoms, followed by her selection to the Riley Institute’s 2023 Diversity Leadership Initiative (DLI). Nancy holds a Bachelor of Arts from Furman University.
Greg Thomas
Contractor, Economic Analyses
Greg Thomas has been dedicated to the mission of Habitat for Humanity since 1999. After retiring from the business sector in 1998, he began volunteering weekly with Sea Island Habitat for Humanity, which eventually led to him serving on the Board of Directors. Between 2001-2016, Greg held positions at East Cooper Habitat (Construction Manager), Sea Island Habitat (Executive Director), and Habitat for Humanity South Carolina (Executive Director).
In 2012, Greg’s commitment to collaboration among the Habitat network helped inspire the foundation of the state organization, Habitat for Humanity South Carolina (formerly South Carolina Association of Habitat Affiliates, Inc.). He was selected as the entity’s first Executive Director and laid the foundation for Habitat to achieve greater visibility and impact in SC. Under his leadership, more than 100 Habitat households accessed $1.5 million in mortgage assistance from SC Housing’s administration of federal Hardest Hit Funds (known locally as SC HELP).
Greg continues to remain active with Habitat at the local, state, and national levels. As a contractor, he conducts Habitat South Carolina’s annual economic impact studies, and utilized the model to assist Habitat for Humanity International in conducting its first-ever nationwide impact report in 2019.
Greg holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Pittsburgh. He lives on Johns Island with his wife, Sue, and enjoys trips to Pennsylvania to visit with their six grandchildren.
Alex James
Contractor, State-Level Government Affairs
Alex James was introduced to Habitat for Humanity at a young age, as his father was a Construction Manager at Habitat for Humanity in Charleston. In 2021, Alex officially joined the Habitat for Humanity South Carolina team as a contractor assisting the organization in its prioritization, monitoring, and engagement of state-level legislative issues and government affairs.
In 2017, Alex was named the Director of Government Affairs for the Home Builders Association of South Carolina. In his position, he represents and lobbies for the interests of4,000 Association members. Alex is well-known for his work with elected officials to pass legislation beneficial to the homebuilding industry and with state agencies to fight against unnecessary regulations. Prior to his tenure with the Home Builders Association, Alex worked on several local and state election grassroots campaigns in South Carolina.
Alex holds a Bachelor of Science in Political Science from the University of South Carolina. He lives in Leesville with his wife, Kaitlynn, and son, Gunter.
Office Address: 625 Taylor Street, Suite 2-B, Columbia SC 29201
Office Phone: (803) 291-4258