The Team
Who We Are
Catherine Stihler
Chief Executive Officer
Catherine Stihler is a distinguished leader, adept community builder, campaigner and advocate.
Over the past five years Catherine has successfully led two global not for profits; the Open Knowledge Foundation and Creative Commons. Her visionary thinking, strategic focus and financial acumen propelled both organizations to noteworthy success.
With a career including two decades at the forefront of European policy creation and decision making, she uniquely bridges regulation and innovation, helping organizations understand compliance and achieve their strategic goals. She served as the 52nd Rector of the University of St Andrews and was the first elected Senior Lay Member of the governing body of the university where her expertise in board governance and effectiveness have been praised.
Catherine is excited about making a practical difference in her new local community. Her husband grew up in Monterey County and they moved back from Scotland with their family in 2021. She currently serves as Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee at Stevenson School and sits on the Filecoin Foundation Advisory Board.
831-469-4663 Ext 11
Lyndsey Marks
Director of Resource Development
Lyndsey joined Habitat in August 2022 and brings 20 years of nonprofit fundraising, events, and volunteer management to her role at Habitat. Working in Silicon Valley for 13 years and then blissfully exchanging that commute for local nonprofit engagement, she greatly enjoys serving her local community. She is passionate about the mission of Habitat as her own journey with homeownership
wasn’t easy or straightforward.
Lyndsey earned her bachelor’s at UC Santa Barbara and then enjoyed two years in “The Big Apple” earning her Master’s from New York University. While the city can be fun, Lyndsey says she is a nature lover and small-town person at heart. She has lived in Santa Cruz County for over 20 years and loves calling it home. In her free time, she enjoys getting outdoors, running trails, hiking, reading a book on the beach, and spending time with friends. She also enjoys getting up to San Francisco, our Bay Area “Big City” to see theater and live performances. You might also catch her performing in local theater productions, as she takes the stage from time to time herself.
831-469-4663 Ext 16
David Tausheck
Director of Finance & HR
David is a mission-driven financial professional with over 25 years of accounting and administrative experience. David has worked in a wide variety of industries, from private equity to nonprofits, from construction to public aquariums. At Habitat for Humanity Monterey Bay, he encounters a wide range of challenges on a daily basis, from human resources to finance and accounting. He’s proud to be part of the Habitat for Humanity Monterey Bay team, helping families and individuals move into affordable homes and build strong communities. When he isn’t crunching numbers, you’re likely to find David near water whenever possible, either enjoying sailing on the surface or diving below.
831-469-4663 Ext 12
Gabby Rubio
Director of ReStores
Gabby has been an integral part of Habitat for Humanity Monterey Bay since September 2016. She played a crucial role in the successful launch of both the Seaside and Watsonville ReStore locations, bringing with her a wealth of knowledge in daily store operations and experience in financial management. Originally from the LA area, Gabby made the move to Monterey to pursue her education at CSUMB, where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology.
Her meticulous attention to detail, coupled with her exceptional interpersonal skills, has enabled her to forge meaningful connections within the Monterey Bay community. Gabby is deeply passionate about Habitat for Humanity’s mission and is dedicated to ensuring that families have access to safe and secure housing. Her commitment to this cause drives her to continually seek innovative ways to support the organization’s efforts.
When she isn’t working, Gabby loves to explore the stunning landscapes and delightful culinary offerings of Monterey Bay. Whether hiking along the coast or savoring a meal at a local restaurant, she always enjoys her adventures with her beloved dog by her side.
(831) 272-4781
Cathy Wylie
Director of Operations
Cathy joined Habitat Monterey Bay in April of 2007 bringing with her 15 years of experience as a legal assistant. Over the past sixteen years, she has worked with fellow staff members, Directors of the Board, and volunteers in helping 38 families realize the dream of homeownership. She also helped develop the My House My Home program enabling 3 Santa Cruz seniors to age in place by building accessory dwelling units on their properties.
In 2020 Cathy relocated to Washington State where she resides with her husband. She has three adult sons in California, Nevada, and Idaho. Cathy is an avid gardener and cook. Upon purchasing their new home on the Olympic Peninsula, Cathy began the rejuvenation of their neglected 1-acre lot and added a large vegetable garden. She also enjoys exploring area farms and cooking using local ingredients from the land and sea. Using her love of cooking, she is writing a cookbook.
831-469-4663
Allie Wilson
Volunteer & Event Manager
Allie has held the position as Volunteer and Event Manager since 2018, providing strategic direction for volunteer engagement and special events. She believes in the power of volunteerism to empower and enrich residents in our community. As a proud member of the Habitat for Humanity team , she says she enjoys working in tandem with staff, Board, and volunteers to provide homeownership to qualified, deserving families.
Allie attended Youngstown State University and UC Boulder with a concentration in Cultural Anthropology. As a young adult, she owned a chain of fast-food restaurants, Yello Submarine Foods, Inc., in OH and CO. She utilizes this experience to do amazing catering work for Habitat events. She has had a diverse career, from working as an Investor Accountant in residential mortgage banking to serving
in many roles within the nonprofit sector.
Allie's leisure time includes travel and gatherings with family and friends; performing and culinary arts, and walks along Monterey Bay. She volunteers her time with Kuumbwa Jazz Center and the Monterey Jazz Festival. As a self-taught jewelry designer, she launched Allie Wilson Jewelry Arts, in
1985.
831.469.4663 Ext 15
