OUR TEAM

Michelle Woods

Michelle became the Executive Director for Habitat St. Charles in October 2019, after serving for 8 years as the affiliates’ first Homeowner Support Manager. Michelle is passionate about homeownership, affordable housing, homelessness, family empowerment and the community of St. Charles County.  As Director, Michelle is seeking partnerships to strengthen and grow the impact that is needed in our community and for our neighbors.

Michelle earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work at Missouri State University in Springfield and her Master’s Degree in Social Work at UMSL. She has worked with families for over 25 years in either case management, School Social Work, or in Divorce/Custody or Juvenile Offender Mediation.

Michelle was born and raised in St. Charles and lives in O’Fallon with her husband and two teenage sons. As a family they stay busy hiking, camping, watching/playing soccer, and taking trips to visit their family who live on a farm.

Email Michelle Here.

Lauren Muehling

Lauren started at Habitat St. Charles in 2010 as the Volunteer Coordinator intern before joining the team full time as the Resource Development Coordinator in June 2011.

Born and raised in St. Charles County (Duchesne High School, for those wondering THE St. Louis question).

She received her BA in Nonprofit Administration with an emphasis in Social Services from Lindenwood University. Lauren is responsible for providing leadership in fundraising, special events and all volunteer services for Habitat St. Charles. She developed a strong passion for volunteering in college and received the Community Services Designation Award for completing over 350 volunteer hours during her undergraduate studies.

Fun fact: As an avid music lover, Lauren has attended over 25 concerts and 3 music festivals over the past 2 years.

Email Lauren Here.

Leah Manis

Leah is a marketing and communications professional passionate about collaboration, building awareness, organization, and affecting change. She developed a strong passion for nonprofit service while obtaining a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Missouri-Columbia.  She has been a part of Habitat’s mission for 5 years! As Marketing and Communications Manager, she is responsible for donor stewardship and implementing marketing and communication strategies at Habitat St. Charles. Leah’s flair for story telling through photography, collaboration, and diverse experience allows her to enter into both new and ongoing projects with ease.

Leah is fueled by coffee, lipstick, friends, family, tortilla chips, and her audible account. When not in the office, she can be found with a camera in her hand or volunteering in the community.

Email Leah Here.

Shana Eubanks

On a wing and a prayer, and after some challenging life events, Shana and her husband chose to leave the east coast and relocate to St. Charles County 8 years ago, not knowing a soul, and they’ve been blessed ever since.

With more than 20 years experience in the social service field, primarily in child abuse and homelessness, Shana has developed a passion for building strong communities.  Her children sit next to kids in school who are not as fortunate as her family, and she wanted to be part of a solution that would positively affect those children; their families!  A common thread among vulnerable families is the lack of affordable housing.  That is what brought her to Habitat!

In Shana’s free time, it’s all about her family and making lasting relationships towards a strong foundation for their kids, beyond just the classroom.  Competition Dance Team and Select Soccer keep them very busy, and they are active in their Parish as well. A Pennsylvania girl at heart, she will always love her Birds- the Philadelphia Eagles, but she’s proud to support her new hometown Birds- the Cardinals.

Paublo Baca

Jan Cavender

Jan spent 30 years in education as a middle school history teacher (go Fort Zumwalt North Middle!). After retiring in 2010, she began volunteering in the community and eventually began working several days a week at the Habitat office. She is excited to join the staff and help in Habitat’s mission to provide decent, affordable housing for families in St. Charles County.

When not at the Habitat office, you will find Jan following her beloved St. Louis Cardinals, making music, working with her church, and keeping up with the latest adventures of her nieces and nephews.

Email Jan Here.

Sarah Zimmerle

Sarah’s versatile background in customer service, photography and real estate have helped craft her vision – one which will help the ReStore to reach even greater heights. After earning her Bachelor’s degree in Photography from the University of Missouri Saint Louis, Sarah pursued a life less ordinary. Her professional path has included becoming a retail and customer service leader and police dispatcher!  She’s also an avid fan of crazy socks and cross-stitching. Tie all that together and there’s nothing that can surprise or stand in her way!

It’s no wonder that she adeptly balances her roles as mom, wife and leader of the ReStore. Come check out her work in action and see the ReStore’s impact in our community!

Mike Covey

Mike has been volunteering with Habitat St. Charles for over 7 years. He helps us write our standard operating procedures, is a member of the site selection committee and more!