Building Connection Intro

In this episode, Dwayne sits down with Brie Carere, executive vice president and chief customer officer at FedEx Corporation and member of Memphis Habitat’s board of directors. Dwayne and Brie discuss her 20-plus years at FedEx, the company’s approach to community engagement, housing’s connection to broader community success and Brie’s personal involvement with Memphis Habitat.Connect with Memphis HabitatLike and subscribe to Building Connection or leave us a review!Visit www.memphishabitat.com to learn more about our work.Ideas for future guests or topics? Email [email protected] to Memphis Habitat news.Follow Memphis Habitat on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn.Connect with Brie and FedExVisit FedExCares.com to learn more about FedEx's global community engagement program.Read the 2024 FedEx Cares report.Watch a recent news story about FedEx's work with Goodwill's Excel Center in Memphis.Check out this video featuring FedEx about Memphis Habitat's "Framing the Future" campaign.Podcast Credits:Guest: Brie Carere, executive vice president and chief customer officer at FedEx CorporationHost: Dwayne Spencer, MPA, President & CEO of Habitat for Humanity of Greater MemphisExecutive Producer: Jessica Hord, VP of Brand Strategy, Habitat for Humanity of Greater MemphisProduction Partner: Forever Ready ProductionsAbout Brie CarereBrie Carere is the executive vice president and chief customer officer for FedEx Corporation. She also currently serves on theHabitat for Humanity of Greater Memphis board of directors.Brie has been with FedEx for more than two decades, serving in various roles globally. She oversees the company’s global commercial strategy, including sales, marketing, product, e-commerce, digital, and customer experience.Brie is a member of the FedEx Executive Committee, a select group of the company’s top leadership, which sets the strategic direction for the corporation. Since joining FedEx in 2001 as a marketing specialist, she has gained a breadth of experience across all areas of marketing, as well as leading commercial growth strategies for FedEx Express, FedEx Ground, and FedEx Freight.Brie is a three-time winner of the FedEx Five Star Award, the company’s highest team member honor.She also serves on the board of directors for ZipRecruiter. And in 2023, she was named a Henry Crown Fellow by The Aspen Institute. Originally from Ontario, Canada, Brie earned a Bachelor ofScience in Commerce from McMaster University. She lives in Memphis, with her husband, Nick, and their four children. She is a dedicated advocate for the city of Memphis and serves on a taskforce where she advises on the expansion of the PK-12 school system operated by the University of Memphis.About Dwayne SpencerDwayne Spencer has worked in nonprofit management for 30years. Since joining Habitat for Humanity of Greater Memphis in 2001, he has grown the organization from a 9-member staff to more than 70 employees; from a $1 million budget to $25 million; from averaging 15 new homes and affordable mortgages per year to 30+ new homes annually; and to serving 250+ Aging In Place repair clients annually. Today, Memphis Habitat ranks 25th out of 925 Habitat for Humanity affiliates across the U.S. in new home production. Through studies developed in partnership with local economists, Memphis Habitat is now able to demonstrate its impressive local impact – more than $366 million in cumulative impact since 1983. Dwayne holds a master’s degree in public administration from The University of Memphis and currently serves on Habitat International’s Advocacy Committee as well as other boards and advisory committees. In 2024, Dwayne was among the four Memphis-area leaders named ⁠⁠CEO of the Year⁠⁠ by Memphis Magazine.

According to Zachary Amos, Memphis Habitat’s Associate Director of Advocacy and Public Policy, 2026 is the year to get excited about housing. But why is that? In this episode, Zach joins Dwayne Spencer to discuss the most significant bi-partisan federal housing package in decades. They also highlight other housing policy issues, including ways to increase the supply of starter homes and how to remove barriers for developers like Habitat for Humanity of Greater Memphis. The time to get involved in housing advocacy is now -- this episode is sure to inspire you!Connect with Zachary Amos and Habitat’s advocacy work:Connect with Zach on LinkedInRead "The appraisal trap," a guest column by Zach for The Daily Memphian (note: behind a paywall)Read "Housing Affordability Continues to Drive Voters," by Zach for Memphis Habitat on LinkedInLearn more about our advocacy prioritiesSign up for our advocacy newsletter!Zachary Amos joined Memphis Habitat in 2023 after working for almost a decade in electoral and land-use campaigns around the country. In his role, Zach works to position Habitat as a leading voice for affordable housing – advocating for policies and collaborating with officials to make the Greater Memphis area a place where everyone has a safe, decent and affordable place to call home.Dwayne Spencer has worked in nonprofit management for 30 years and led Memphis Habitat since 2001. Under his leadership, the organization has grown to build and sell 30+ affordable homes annually and provide critical repairs to 250+ senior homeowners each year. Today, Memphis Habitat ranks 25th out of more than 900 Habitat for Humanity affiliates across the U.S. in new home production and has contributed more than $366 million in cumulative local impact since 1983.Connect with Memphis Habitat!Like and subscribe to Building Connection or leave us a review!Ideas for future guests or topics? Email [email protected]. ⁠⁠Subscribe to Memphis Habitat news.⁠⁠Follow Memphis Habitat on ⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠, ⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠.Podcast Credits:Guest: ⁠Zachary Amos⁠, Associate Director of Advocacy & Public Policy, Habitat for Humanity of Greater MemphisHost: ⁠Dwayne Spencer,⁠ MPA, President & CEO, Habitat for Humanity of Greater MemphisExecutive Producer: ⁠Jessica Hord⁠, VP of Brand Strategy, Habitat for Humanity of Greater MemphisProduction Partner: ⁠⁠Forever Ready Productions⁠⁠Building Connection is a podcast from ⁠Habitat for Humanity of Greater Memphis⁠ hosted by Memphis Habitat President & CEO Dwayne Spencer. This podcast seeks to highlight the connections between housing and issues that we all care about -- health, wealth, safety, and more. Healthy communities, intergenerational wealth, peace of mind, and the ability to focus on what matters most -- it all starts with a home.

Building Connection is a podcast from ⁠Habitat for Humanity of Greater Memphis⁠ hosted by Memphis Habitat President & CEO Dwayne Spencer. This podcast seeks to highlight the connections between housing and issues that we all care about -- health, wealth, safety, and more. Healthy communities, intergenerational wealth, peace of mind, and the ability to focus on what matters most -- it all starts with a home. Building Connection explores that. In this episode:For this special episode, Dwayne Spencer, Memphis Habitat’s President & CEO, is our guest! Dwayne sits down with Jessica Hord, VP of Brand Strategy at Memphis Habitat, to share his story, his path to Habitat, and why he wouldn’t want to work anywhere else. Dwayne and Jessica also discuss Memphis Habitat’s history and growth, our homebuying and repair programs, and the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.More about Dwayne and Memphis HabitatLearn more about Memphis Habitat’s Framing the Futurefundraising campaign.Dwayne’s TEDx Memphis Talk, 2023NBC Nightly News Feature on Dwayne, 2016Connect with Memphis Habitat!Like and subscribe to Building Connection or leave us a review!Ideas for future guests or topics? Email [email protected] to Memphis Habitat news.Follow Memphis Habitat on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn.Podcast Credits:Guest: Dwayne Spencer, MPA, President & CEO, Habitat for Humanity of Greater MemphisHost and Executive Producer: Jessica Hord, VP of Brand Strategy, Habitat for Humanity of Greater MemphisProduction Partner: Forever Ready ProductionsDwayne Spencer has worked in nonprofit management for 30 years. Since joining Memphis Habitat in 2001, he has grown the organization from a 9-member staff to more than 70 employees; from a $1 million budget to $25 million; and from building 15 homes per year to building 30+ new homes and serving 250+ Aging In Place repair clients annually. Today, Memphis Habitat ranks 25th out of more than 900 Habitat for Humanity affiliates across the U.S. in new home production. Through studies developed in partnership with local economists, Memphis Habitat is now able to demonstrate its impressive local impact – more than $366 million in cumulative impact since 1983. Dwayne holds a master’s degree in public administration from The University of Memphis and currently serves on Habitat International’s Advocacy Committee as well as other boards and advisory committees. In 2024, Dwayne was among the four Memphis-area leaders named CEO of the Year by Memphis Magazine.Jessica Hord was named VP of Brand Strategy at Memphis Habitat in 2024 and leads thought leadership efforts and events, public relations, Memphis Habitat’s CEO Build, and other special projects. With 20-plus years of public relations, marketing, and nonprofit strategy experience, she has spent nearly 15 years managing the Memphis Habitat brand. In 2016, she led the local team for Habitat’s Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project. Prior to Habitat, she worked at Obsidian PR and Baptist Memorial Health Care and has a B.S. in Communications from The University of Tennessee.

Building Connection is a podcast from ⁠Habitat for Humanity of Greater Memphis⁠ hosted by Memphis Habitat President & CEO Dwayne Spencer. This podcast seeks to highlight the connections between housing and issues that we all care about -- health, wealth, safety, and more. Healthy communities, intergenerational wealth, peace of mind, and the ability to focus on what matters most -- it all starts with a home. Building Connection will explore that.In this episode:Jonathan T.M. Reckford, CEO of Habitat for Humanity International, joins Dwayne to talk about Habitat’s work in the U.S. and around the world. They discuss and dispel a few common myths about Habitat, explore advocacy and Habitat’s role in the global conversation around affordable housing, and look ahead to Habitat for Humanity’s 50th anniversary in 2026. Dwayne and Jonathan also reflect on Habitat’s history with President Jimmy Carter and the legacy that lives on through the Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project. And, as always, the episode closes with our recurring “bring it back to home” segment.Connect with Memphis Habitat!Like and subscribe to Building Connection or leave us a review!Ideas for future guests or topics? Email [email protected] to Memphis Habitat news.Follow Memphis Habitat on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn.Connect with Habitat for Humanity InternationalVisit Habitat.org to learn more about Habitat's work in the U.S. and around the world.Read more about Habitat for Humanity's approach to advocacy.Learn more about Habitat's MicroBuild Fund.See how a street in NYC was renamed Jimmy Carter Way for 2025 World Habitat Day.Podcast Credits:Guest: Jonathan Reckford, CEO, Habitat for Humanity InternationalHost: Dwayne Spencer, MPA, President & CEO, Habitat for Humanity of Greater MemphisExecutive Producer: Jessica Hord, VP of Brand Strategy, Habitat for Humanity of Greater MemphisProduction Partner: Forever Ready ProductionsAbout Jonathan ReckfordJonathan T.M. Reckford is the chief executive officer of Habitat for Humanity International, a global Christian housing organization that has helped more than 62 million people access safe housing.Since he joined Habitat in 2005, Habitat affiliates in all 50 states and in more than 60 countries have grown from serving more than 125,000 individuals annually to helping more than 3 million people in 2024.Jonathan is the chair of Leadership 18, a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and the Global Future Council on the Future of Cities for the World Economic Forum.Named the most influential nonprofit leader in America in 2017 by The NonProfit Times, Jonathan is the author of Our Better Angels: Seven Simple Virtues That Will Change Your Life and the World.About Dwayne SpencerDwayne Spencer has worked in nonprofit management for 30 years. Since joining Memphis Habitat in 2001, he has grown the organization from a 9-member staff to more than 70 employees; from a $1 million budget to $25 million; and from building 15 homes per year to building 30+ new homes and serving 250+ Aging In Place repair clients annually. Today, Memphis Habitat ranks fifth in total families served among more than 900 Habitat for Humanity affiliates in the U.S. Dwayne holds a master’s degree in public administration from The University of Memphis and currently serves on Habitat International’s Advocacy Committee as well as other boards and advisory committees. In 2024, Dwayne was among the four Memphis-area leaders named ⁠⁠CEO of the Year⁠⁠ by Memphis Magazine.

Building Connection is a podcast from Habitat for Humanity of Greater Memphis hosted by Memphis Habitat President & CEO Dwayne Spencer. This podcast seeks to highlight the connections between housing and issues that we all care about -- health, wealth, safety, and more. Healthy communities, intergenerational wealth, peace of mind, and the ability to focus on what matters most -- it all starts with a home. Building Connection will explore that.In this episode:Adriane Bond Harris, Principal and Owner of HarCo, LLC, joins Dwayne to expand the conversation on housing beyond Memphis and discuss the intersection of housing and health. Dwayne and Adriane talk about their experiences growing up in rural West Tennessee, and Adriane shares how that has informed her career path in government, the housing space, and her current consulting work that allows her to work across sectors to connect housing to other issues. They close the episode with our recurring “bring it back to home” segment – a rapid series of questions designed to get at the heart of what makes home and housing so important.Connect with Memphis Habitat!Like and subscribe to Building Connection or leave us a review!Ideas for guests or topics? Email us at [email protected] to Memphis Habitat news.Follow Memphis Habitat on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn.Connect with Adriane Harris or learn more about the organizations she mentioned:Learn more about Adriane's company HarCo Coaching & Consulting Services.Find Adriane on LinkedIn.Visit ThinkTennessee's website to learn about their research and resources.About Adriane Bond HarrisWith nearly 25 years of experience in urban planning and community development, Adriane Harris brings a strategic and relational approach to advancing housing opportunities and sustainable growth. She is known for building impactful partnerships, coaching and supporting leaders in housing, and aligning policy with community vision. She currently serves as an advisor with ThinkTennessee, the Tennessee Department of Health, and other mission-driven organizations across the country.About Dwayne SpencerDwayne Spencer has worked in nonprofit management for 30 years. Since joining Memphis Habitat in 2001, he has grown the organization from a 9-member staff to more than 70 employees; from a $1 million budget to $25 million; and from building 15 homes per year to building 30+ new homes and serving 250+ Aging In Place repair clients annually. Today, Memphis Habitat ranks fifth in total families served among more than 900 Habitat for Humanity affiliates in the U.S. Dwayne holds a master’s degree in public administration from The University of Memphis and currently serves on Habitat International’s Advocacy Committee as well as other boards and advisory committees. In 2024, Dwayne was among the four Memphis-area leaders named ⁠CEO of the Year⁠ by Memphis Magazine. Podcast Credits:Guest: Adriane Harris, Principal & Owner, HarCo, LLCHost: Dwayne Spencer, President & CEO, Habitat for Humanity of Greater MemphisExecutive Producer: Jessica Hord, VP of Brand Strategy, Habitat for Humanity of Greater MemphisProduction Partner: Forever Ready Productions

Building Connection Intro

Building Connection is a podcast from Habitat for Humanity of Greater Memphis that seeks to highlight the connections between housing and issues that we all care about -- health, wealth, safety and more. Healthy communities, intergenerational wealth, peace of mind, and the ability to focus on what matters most -- it all starts with a home. Building Connection will explore that. In this episode:Memphis Mayor Paul Young sits down with Dwayne for the inaugural episode of Building Connection to discuss how housing is intertwined with a community’s broader success. In their conversation, Mayor Young shares why he chose to come back to and stay in Memphis, as well as the path that led him to a career in housing, community development, and public service. They discuss blight's affect on the city and what the "Era of Yes” for Memphis could mean in terms of housing. Finally, they close their conversation by "bringing it back to home," discussing what home means and what stable, affordable housing can help people and communities achieve.Connect with Memphis Habitat!Like and subscribe to Building Connection or leave us a review!Ideas for future guests or topics? Email [email protected]. Watch "Fighting Against Blight: The Impact on Habitat Homeowners in Memphis."Subscribe to Memphis Habitat news.Follow Memphis Habitat on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn.Connect with Mayor Young & the City of MemphisMayor Young's weekly Building Together newsletterFollow the City of Memphis on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and X.Dwayne Spencer has worked in nonprofit management for 30 years. Since joining Memphis Habitat in 2001, he has grown the organization from a 9-member staff to more than 70 employees; from a $1 million budget to $25 million; and from building 15 homes per year to building 30+ new homes and serving 250+ Aging In Place repair clients annually. Today, Memphis Habitat ranks fifth in total families served among more than 900 Habitat for Humanity affiliates in the U.S. Dwayne holds a master’s degree in public administration from The University of Memphis and currently serves on Habitat International’s Advocacy Committee as well as other boards and advisory committees. In 2024, Dwayne was among the four Memphis-area leaders named CEO of the Year by Memphis Magazine.Paul Young was sworn in as mayor of Memphis on Jan. 1, 2024, with a commitment to creating a stronger, safer, and thriving community for all Memphians. He is a Memphian, father of two, husband to Dr. Jamila Smith-Young, and son of Pastor Dianne Young and the late Bishop William Young. Young earned a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering from the University of Tennessee, followed by a Master of Science in urban and regional planning and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Memphis. Young has spent the last decade improving the quality of life in Memphis by advancing housing security and fostering healthy neighborhoods where families can thrive. As the President of the Downtown Memphis Commission and the former Director of Housing and Community Development for the City, Young applied a holistic approach to unifying the city through public and private partnerships and targeted investments in our future.  He believes moving the city forward requires strategic investments in public safety, infrastructure, and the potential of our greatest asset – our people.Podcast Credits:Guest: The Honorable Paul Young, Mayor of the City of MemphisHost: Dwayne Spencer, MPA, President & CEO of Habitat for Humanity of Greater MemphisExecutive Producer: Jessica Hord, VP of Brand Strategy, Habitat for Humanity of Greater MemphisProduction Partner: Forever Ready Productions