March is Women’s History Month. At Habitat for Humanity Tampa Bay Gulfside, we are proud of the women on our team who devote themselves to moving our mission forward to help individuals and families in Pinellas, West Pasco, and Hernando Counties achieve the dream of affordable homeownership. This is a four-part series focused on the women in different departments at Habitat.
Habitat’s administrative operations, external relations, and finance teams work hard behind the scenes to support staff and homeowner candidates and their families. Within these teams are talented women that handle duties such as fundraising and special events, branding and social media, human resources, accounting, and executive support.
Ibeliz Alvarado – Grants & Foundations Manager
Ibeliz started working at Habitat in July 2024. Ibeliz loves that Habitat practices what it preaches: affordability for all. She enjoys being involved with an organization that helps families stay in the community they have lived in and can establish roots without the worry of how they will pay for a home thanks to the 0% interest mortgage through Habitat. Ibeliz uses her expertise in grant writing to create an avenue of funding that helps build more homes for deserving families.
Originally from New York, Ibeliz holds an Economics degree from NYU and recently finished a certificate in Grant Writing from the Nonprofit Leadership Conference. When she is not at work, you can find Ibeliz and her husband out on the water or dancing the night away. They also love playing with their dog and exploring their new home in Pinellas County.
“Home is where I feel safe, in company of my favorite people, and where I feel the happiest.”
Amanda Arnone – Communications Manager
Amanda started as an intern with Habitat in May 2021. After six months interning with marketing and events, Amanda was hired full-time! Habitat has held a special place in Amanda’s heart as she volunteered with different Habitat affiliates in college. Amanda has enjoyed putting her creativity to work and creating fun graphics, informative presentations, and even a billboard! She helped create classes for Habitat kids and teens so they can be informed of why and what their parents are doing to earn a safe, secure home.
Born and raised in South Tampa, Amanda is a graduate of the University of Florida – holding a Bachelor’s in Family, Youth, & Community Sciences, as well as a minor in Digital Arts. Amanda is a huge fan of Disney, going often to trade pins and is determined to ride Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind until she finally gets all the songs offered. She also loves going to Target to collect cute fabric birds that she puts on display on her desk with full bios for Habitat team members to learn about each month.
“Home is where I go to unwind and feel safe and relaxed. It’s where I am always greeted with love by my puppy. I hope to become a homeowner one day and create a space that is really my own.”
Tori Bates – Development Coordinator
Tori joined the Habitat team in July 2022. She has always been passionate about affordable housing and when she saw the job opening to join Habitat’s development team she knew it was the right place for her. Tori uses her expertise in data management to organize a wide array of Habitat donors and supporters and keep track of sponsorship funding. She also works with Habitat International on any initiatives that can benefit Habitat Tampa Bay Gulfside. 
Born in New Hampshire, Tori moved to the Tampa Bay region in 2022 before moving to Pennsylvania in 2024, working remotely for Habitat. She holds a degree in Business Administration from Lancaster Bible College and is currently working towards a certificate in Data Visualization. In her free time, Tori is immersed in the community theater world. She actually just directed her first play – Bounce! at Hershey Area Playhouse to rave reviews! And if you need someone to tell you which episodes of Saturday Night Live grade out the best, ask Tori – she has a grading rubric for the 940+ episode of SNL.
“Home means the place that all of the people I love can gather and be together.”
Hannah Burgess – Compliance Specialist
Hannah joined the Habitat team in April 2022, but her journey with this organization began in October 2020 when she was accepted into the homeownership program. Hannah earned her keys and is a Habitat Homeowner! Hannah applied to work at Habitat because she wanted to help other families succeed the way she did. Her greatest strength is knowing what it takes to go through the homeownership program and the determination to become a Habitat homeowner. She uses that fuel to work with all levels of government to find financing options to bring down costs on Habitat homes.
Born and raise in the Tampa Bay region, Hannah and her husband stay busy chasing around a their daughter who keeps their two cats annoyed and a new puppy on its toes. They are always in search for the next adventure and a good playground.
“Home is safety for me and my family.”
Shannon Fazio – Accounting Coordinator
Shannon joined the Habitat team in October 2024. She had been volunteering around the community and realized how much she loved being involved with nonprofits. When she saw the job opening with the Habitat finance team, she knew she had to apply. Shannon’s positive energy is what keeps her moving their any situation and she uses this attitude to tackle any challenge at work and in life.
Originally from Baltimore, Shannon moved to Florida in 2019 and then to Tampa in 2023. She has a degree in Business Management from Wilmington University. She is currently enrolled in a master’s program in Business offered by LSU. Shannon loves staying active and enjoys the Florida weather, especially the beaches. She also loves movies and even has a great aunt who was nominated for an Oscar!
“Home means any place I can be close to my family and loved ones.”
Brit Maxwell – Development Manager
Brit joined the Habitat team in July 2024. Habitat has been a passion for Brit for nearly two decades, having been a supporter and volunteer. Working at a place that already means so much to Brit was a perfect opportunity. She uses her ability to connect with people and organizations to promote the Habitat mission and unite people from different parts of the area through the common goal for a healthier and happier community.
Raised in the White Mountain region of New Hampshire, Brit’s home was a bed & breakfast on 30 acres that was built in 1890. Brit has lived in the Tampa Bay region for 18 years. Brit holds a degree from St. Petersburg College. She is determined to soak up every bit of the Florida sun whether it’s paddleboarding, kayaking, hiking or riding bikes with her family on the Pinellas County Trail. She also spends her time giving back to Chi Chi Rodriguez Youth Foundation, Keep Pinellas Beautiful, Clearwater Jazz Holiday, and at her son’s school.
“Home is a place I can depend on to provide me the feeling of safety and comfort. Home extends into the community as well where my roots can spread and comingle with those around me symbiotically.”
Jaxmin Ramirez – Human Resources Manager
Jaxmin joined the Habitat team in August 2023. She was drawn to the Habitat mission and vision of making affordable homeownership dreams a reality for families. Working at Habitat allows Jazmin to fulfill a big goal of making a meaningful impact in our communities. Jaxmin plays a big part in fostering employee growth and engagement. She has an eye for identifying talent and works to create a positive work environment. All of these are strengths for Jaxmin, as she used strong relationship building to make employees feel valued and motivated to show up each day for the Habitat mission.
Jaxmin grew up in Salt Lake City, Utah and moved from Las Vegas to Florida in 2018. She obtained her SHRM-CP Certification in December 2024 and is currently in the 2025 spring-cohort of the Nonprofit Leadership Center’s Certificate in Leadership. She stay active by running and practicing yoga, reads to unwind and broaden her knowledge, loves local farmers markets and traveling back home to see her family.
“Home, to me, means a safe space. Home is about the connections that make a place feel special and a reminder that no matter where life takes you, there is always somewhere to return where you are loved and supported.”
Cecille Zabala – Executive Assistant to the CEO
Cecille joined the Habitat team in April 2024. Cecille thought she was done working as she spent “many, many years” in the corporate world, but the opportunity to be part of a mission that serves so many was too good to pass up. Cecille works closely with the CEO and uses her talents of anticipating needs, loyalty, and resourcefulness to see the big picture and bring order to chaos.
Originally from the Philippines, Cecile migrated to the U.S. in 1992 and settled in California. She arrived in Florida in 2015 thanks to a relocation opportunity through the company she was with at the time. Cecille has strong ties to her five siblings, son, daughter-in-law, and three grandsons. She loves to cook and travel.
“Home is not just a place to sleep, keep earthly treasures, and seek protection from the elements. HOME is where your heart is and create memories and be surrounded by love.”
