Please help us welcome Chris Cruz (she/her) as Habitat for Humanity of Oregon’s first-ever Director of Lending. In this role, Chris will play a central role in advancing our mission by developing new lending products, stewarding our loan portfolio, and ensuring compliance with all CDFI and fiscal reporting requirements. As a member of Habitat Oregon’s leadership team, Chris will work closely with local Habitat affiliates, financial institutions, foundations, and community partners to expand lending capacity and deepen collaboration statewide.
Welcome, Chris!
Tell us a little about yourself:
I’ve always been drawn to work that sits at the intersection of people and possibility. Over the past 20+ years, that has taken shape through a career in mortgage lending and community development finance, where I have focused on helping expand access to homeownership for families who might otherwise be left out.
Before joining Habitat for Humanity of Oregon, I led a Community Loan Fund for a certified CDFI, supporting affordable housing and resident-owned communities. That experience deepened my belief that stable housing can truly change the trajectory of a family’s life.
Originally from Guam, my perspective on community and opportunity has always been shaped by the importance of connection, resilience, and showing up for one another. That foundation continues to guide my work today. I moved to Oregon to attend Portland State University, where I earned my master’s in Postsecondary Education and Business Training, and ended up falling in love with the state. More than two decades later, it is still home, a place where I have built my career, my family life, and a deep appreciation for both community, and a really good cup of coffee.
What is your favorite to see or do in Oregon?
I’ve done everything from hiking and skiing to camping, but I always find myself drawn back to the coast. There’s something about it that shifts your sense of time. You can sit there for a few minutes or a few hours and it all feels the same. It’s one of the few places where I don’t feel the need to rush, which is probably why I keep going back.
What is a recent book, podcast or movie/TV show that you would recommend to others?
I’ve been enjoying the podcast Good Hang with Amy Poehler. I’ve always appreciated her sense of humor, but what I like most about the podcast is how conversational and easy it feels. It’s not overly polished, just thoughtful, funny conversations with interesting people, which makes it a really enjoyable listen.
What does home mean to you?
Home, to me, is rooted in inafa’maolek, a value from the Chamoru culture of Guam that centers the idea of making things good for each other. It is not just about having a place to live, it is about being part of something where people show up for one another without keeping score. That sense of responsibility to care, to give, and to stay connected is something I grew up with, and it has shaped how I see the world.
When that exists, home becomes more than a space. It becomes a place where you do not have to question whether you belong, where support is not transactional, and where people are invested in each other’s well being. Without that, a house is just a structure. With it, there is a sense of stability and connection that makes everything else in life possible.
That is what home means to me, not just where you live, but where people are committed to each other in a way that creates something stronger than any one person alone.
What are you looking forward to most about this position?
What I’m most looking forward to in this role is the opportunity to help expand what’s possible. Housing is one of those areas where the need is clear, but the path forward often requires creativity, collaboration, and a willingness to do things differently. I’m excited to be in a position where I can help bring together resources, partnerships, and ideas in a way that leads to more people having access to stable, affordable homeownership.
I’m also looking forward to working alongside a network of people who care deeply about this work. When you combine that level of commitment with the right tools and support, it creates real momentum, and that’s where meaningful change happens.