Our Team
Meet the Team
Philip Curtis, Executive Director
Philip worked as a lawyer in private practise between 1982 and 2009. He was Principal with Moores in Box Hill for 17 years and a Law Institute of Victoria Accredited specialist in Commercial Litigation for 14 years. He was also an accredited Mediator. Philip commenced his role with Habitat for Humanity in January 2010.
He also serves as Director and Board Chair of Baptcare Affordable Housing Ltd and was past Director and Board Chair of Baptcare Ltd. He is also involved in the Croydon Hills Baptist Church with a strong history of involvement in local community activities. He is a member of the ACID.
Philip is passionate about issues of justice and believes that the cycle of poverty can be broken and families can be given real hope for the future through initiatives such as the Habitat for Humanity affordable housing program.
Phil Wright, Business Development Manager
Phil Wright, with Chemistry and Management degrees, worked in sales and management roles within the Chemical Industry, most recently with Dow Chemical. His areas of focus are on developing our volunteering program, growing our corporates partnerships, communications and assisting Habitat for Humanity to develop strategies for growth.
Phil connects most with the Habitat cause because of the very significant contribution we make to families under significant stress due to the current housing affordability crisis. Making a difference is important and in particular he's “passionate about the opportunity presented to the children of our partner families, for generational change, to see dramatic change in the likely outcome for their lives”.
Rod Brooks, Volunteer Coordinator
Rod has worked in a variety of jobs including engineering surveying, teaching, labouring, outdoor education, building and running his own business gardening and tree lopping.
His involvement with his church community, TLC, includes time supervising a Work For the Dole program, creche, mentoring primary school children with Kids Hope and cooking Sunday lunches at church. He has a heart for refugees and is working with a Karen family to improve their English and educational outcomes.
“Home ownership contributes to significant improvements in people’s lives and this is what drives my work with Habitat.”
Russell Croxford, ReStore Manager
Russell began his career as a secondary school teacher of physical education, maths and science. Following a sense of calling into ministry he made a shift into full time work with Churches of Christ, while completing his theological degree and a Masters in leadership studies. Early church appointments focussed on youth and young adult ministries, with the most recent role being a long term Senior Ministry position at Doncaster Church of Christ.
Russell is enthusiastic about his role as ReStore Manager, being responsible for a fascinating and exciting enterprise that deals with a wide range of donated goods. Russell says “It’s rewarding work, knowing you’re helping provide a decent place for people to live, while at the same time making customers happy with their bargains, and preventing good items going to waste into landfill”.
Julie Hall, ReStore Warehouse Manager
Julie has worked in a variety of organisations covering roles from general warehouse, supervisor, locksmith, payroll administrator to teaching English in South Korea. She is actively involved in her local church and has previously volunteered with World Vision Australia and Sherwood Cliffs Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation.
Julie loves learning and is excited to be part of the team in providing homes for Victorian families who would otherwise be living in housing stress.
Jenny Curtis, Family Services Coordinator & Assistant to Executive Director
Jenny has been with Habitat since September 2016. Her previous work experience has been in Administration and as a Residential Liaison Officer with a not for profit organisation overseeing over 400 Independent Living units for people over 55. She has had various roles volunteering within her local community and Church over 25 years. Jenny is currently involved in Women’s Ministry and contributes to the events team at her church.
"Part of my role I really enjoy is assisting our Partner families as they join our home ownership program and the impact it has on changing their lives".
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Peter Copp, Fundraising Manager
"I believe in a world where everyone has equal opportunity and equal access, and I’m passionate about helping the for-purpose sector make this a reality."
Peter has spent the last decade building a career in management, relations, philanthropy, operations, marketing and communications. He's worked in various roles within the disability sector before transitioning into an INGO leading the Australia and Regional team at The Fred Hollows Foundation. Moving back to Victoria he joined the executive team of one of Australia’s largest not-for-profit healthcare organisations as General Manager at Mercy Health Foundation, taking the team through a period of development and philanthropic growth.
Peter holds a Master of Business Administration and a Graduate-Cert in Business from Griffith University. Peter is the Vice President for JCI Eastern, he sits on several industry committees and enjoys supporting industry through a variety of voluntary initiatives.