Housing North, the local nonprofit that works “to build awareness, influence policy, and grow capacity and resources” for housing around northern Michigan, has found its new executive director.

The organization announced on Wednesday morning that it has selected Caroyln Fairman (pictured) to lead its next chapter. Fairman will succeed Yarrow Brown, who led Housing North for five years before leaving at the beginning of this year to take the executive director position for Generations Ahead. Fairman is described in a Housing North press release as “a seasoned nonprofit executive and strategic advisor with more than 25 years of leadership experience.”

Fairman comes to Housing North from a stint as chief operating officer for CIERTO, a “nonprofit labor contractor” that works with employers in the United States to help them “navigate the federal H-2A, H-2B and other temporary work programs.” Per the Housing North press release, that role saw Fairman overseeing “organizational strategy, governance, operations, financial management, and stakeholder engagement while supporting programs and partnerships across multiple countries.”

Fairman’s resume also includes executive leadership roles with organizations like Reading Village, United Farm Workers, the Specialty Coffee Association of America, and Coffee Kids.

“Carolyn brings exceptional leadership experience and a demonstrated ability to build partnerships, align diverse stakeholders, and translate vision into action,” said Sarah Van Horn, who chairs Housing North's Board of Directors. “Her expertise in strategy, governance, and advocacy will strengthen Housing North's ability to serve the region and advance solutions to one of our communities' most pressing challenges.”

A West Michigan native, Fairman sees the Housing North job as an opportunity to impact positive change closer to home.

“I’m truly honored to join Housing North and be a part of the work happening across northwest Lower Michigan”, Fairman said in the release. “Housing is both fundamental to strong, vibrant communities and deeply personal – it shapes the stability, success, and well-being of individuals and families. I am excited to listen, learn, and work alongside community partners to help expand access and advance solutions that ensure people at all income levels have a place to call home.”