Her Story
About Chloe
Chloe Kotarak is the Community Engagement & Strategic Partnerships Officer at Habitat for Humanity of Oakland County in Pontiac, Michigan. In her current role, she works across community engagement, volunteer management, fundraising, sponsorship, and strategic partnerships, while also collaborating with construction teams at build sites. She previously served as Community Engagement Manager with Habitat for Humanity of Oakland County and developed progressive nonprofit experience through multiple community engagement and sponsor-relations roles with Habitat for Humanity of Central Arizona.
Kotarak’s background combines nonprofit leadership, community engagement, fundraising, and international and language studies. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Global Studies and Social Impact with a minor in Mandarin Language and East Asian Studies from Grand Valley State University. She also studied Mandarin for three years at East China Normal University in Shanghai and completed online coursework through Lansing Community College. She is fluent in Mandarin and has additional experience in strategic grant writing, fundraising, sponsor recruitment, volunteer recruitment, and nonprofit program coordination.
A strong advocate for mission-driven work, Kotarak believes that staying connected to an organization's purpose is essential when navigating the challenges of nonprofit work. One of her notable achievements was developing a community engagement initiative that brought stakeholders together over a month-long community tour to identify needs in the Pontiac area; the initiative received positive feedback and sponsorships and became an annual event. She attributes her professional growth to the work ethic instilled by her parents and the guidance of mentors, particularly women who have supported and encouraged her throughout her career.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Chloe
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to the strong work ethic my parents instilled in me and to the mentors who have supported me throughout my career. I have been fortunate to have women who took me under their wing, guided me, and helped pave the way for my professional growth. Their mentorship and example have been an important part of my development.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Some of the most valuable career guidance I have received has come through the mentors who have supported me throughout my professional journey. I have been fortunate to learn from Sheila Martin from Hershey, Jody Skonieczny from Habitat for Humanity of Oakland County, and Ashley McKenna from Habitat for Humanity Detroit. Their guidance, leadership, and willingness to invest in my development have had a meaningful impact on how I approach my career and continue to grow professionally.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice is to keep the mission of your organization at the forefront of everything you do. It is easy to become caught up in the day-to-day details and lose sight of the bigger picture. When you remain connected to the mission and understand why the work matters, the hardships, challenges, and stress become much more meaningful and worthwhile.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges and opportunities is increasing awareness of housing issues and the broader housing crisis, particularly the way housing instability can contribute to and compound other challenges in people's lives. Collaboration across the nonprofit sector is also extremely important because many people and families are facing multiple interconnected needs rather than a single problem. Working together across organizations can help create more comprehensive and effective solutions for the communities we serve.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
A genuine passion for helping people and being actively involved in my community are among the values that matter most to me. I believe in contributing my time, energy, and skills in ways that positively impact others and strengthen the communities I am part of. My commitment to service is something I carry with me in both my professional work and personal life.
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