The Neighborhoods Inc. of Battle Creek (NIBC) board of directors is pleased to announce that it has named Whitney Wardell as its new President & CEO effective March 2023. As an enthusiastic community advocate and leader, Wardell brings housing experience and a passion for positive change to the Battle Creek community. Whitney previously worked as the Director of Housing Initiatives for NIBC.

NIBC was originally incorporated in 1981 and has acted as a long-standing community housing resource providing Battle Creek Neighborhoods with affordable housing, homeownership, and community development services. The mission of NIBC is to promote stable, healthy homes and neighborhoods by providing services and educational programs focused on low-to-moderate-income families in the Greater Battle Creek Area.

Since 2021, NIBC has stepped up to serve as the Housing Assessment Resource Agency for Calhoun County, providing services to individuals at risk of homelessness and individuals who are currently experiencing homelessness. As the Former Director of Housing Initiatives, Whitney Wardell led this team to success by supporting HARA initiatives, and the Covid Emergency Rental Assistance Fund was created to assist those affected by COVID-19. In the 2021-2022 fiscal year, NIBC assisted over 3,100 low-income households and secured over $14 million of direct rental financial assistance.

“With Whitney in this role, we are excited for the future of NIBC as we work to become NIBC 2.0 – our shorthand for the high-performing housing, community, and economic development nonprofit we are committed to becoming. Whitney displays the necessary knowledge and community relationships to lead NIBC as an organization that strives every day to better serve our community members, stakeholders, and partner organizations,” said Lynn Ward Gray, the new Chair of the NIBC Board of Directors.

Whitney Wardell is a long-time advocate for NIBC and is committed to reaching NIBC’s organizational goals, including leading the NIBC team down the path to sustainability and expansion of services through her leadership skills, leading with a proactive solutions-driven approach and leveraging her internal knowledge of the organization’s structure. Board Chair Gray stated on behalf of the board, “Whitney brings her knowledge, strategic problem-solving, and long-standing community relationships to bear on NIBC’s future. We are confident that with Whitney Wardell leading the NIBC team, NIBC will continue down its path of growth.”

Ms. Wardell added “I am excited to embark on this new path as the first woman of color President and CEO of NIBC. I look forward to working with the NIBC Staff, Board of Directors, and community stakeholders to enhance our current service delivery and be a continued liaison for affordable healthy housing. I have been a member of the Battle Creek Community for the past several years, serving on a number of boards and committees as well as partnering on multiple community projects. I strive to lift the name and work of Neighborhoods Inc. and continue to be a neighbor helping my fellow neighbors.”