Melissa McKown
chief executive officer
Melissa McKown joined Habitat for Humanity of Greater Fort Wayne as CEO on October 6, 2025. With more than 20 years of leadership experience spanning nonprofit work and healthcare, she brings a strong record of strategic growth, operational excellence, and community-centered vision to our mission of building homes, hope, and opportunity.
Prior to Habitat, Melissa spent 18 years at Parkview Health, where she most recently served as Vice President of Employer Solutions. In that role, she oversaw initiatives designed to support thousands of employees’ health and well-being across the region.
Beyond her professional career, Melissa is passionate about community service: she co-founded H.O.P.E. for Animals (now part of Humane Fort Wayne), has served on local nonprofit boards, and volunteers with organizations including Humane Fort Wayne and Community Harvest Food Bank. She and her husband, Brent, also foster for the Fort Wayne Pitbull Coalition and care for two rescued pit bull mixes, Larsyn and Marlie.
Melissa holds an MBA and a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from California Lutheran University. Rooted in her Christian faith, she is committed to walking alongside families as they build stability and pursue affordable homeownership.
Learn More
Meet more of the people behind the passion for affordable homeownership in Greater Fort Wayne.
Meet some of the most hardworking people in Greater Fort Wayne — Habitat families achieving their dream of homeownership.
Browse photos and amenities of Habitat GFW homes and view our current floorplans.
