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General Motors' Vivian R. Pickard joins Habitat for Humanity International's Board of Directors [Michigan Chronicle (MI)](Michigan Chronicle (MI) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Habitat for Humanity International has elected Vivian R. Pickard to its international Board of Directors. "I am delighted that Vivian will be serving as a member of our board," said Jonathan Reckford, CEO of Habitat for Humanity International. "It is so important in this work to have not only strong leadership skills, but also a heart for service. Vivian most certainly embodies both." Pickard was named president of the General Motors Foundation and director of Corporate Relations for General Motors Company in December 2010. She is responsible for leading the company's efforts to' strengthen communities across the United States through partnerships and investments in the areas of education, health and human services, the environment and community development. Last year, Habitat for Humanity International received $1.5 million from the GM Foundation to support 12 revitalization projects across the U.S., as well as disaster relief efforts after devastating tornadoes in Gran-bury, Texas. A community advocate and philanthropist, Pickard currently serves on the board for The Memorial Foundation, Inc., Habitat for Humanity International, Friends of African and African American Art (Detroit Institute of Arts), Detroit Regional Chamber Foundation, The Parade Company, Fifth Third Bank - Eastern Michigan, Council of Michigan Foundations, CultureSource, Trumpet Awards Foundation, St. John Providence Health System and the Sphinx Organization. Pickard is a member of the National Urban League's National Employer Advisory Council, is an officer for the Detroit Economic Club, a member of the Executive Leadership Council and serves on the Executive Committee for The Links, Inc. She is the immediate past-president for The Black Women's Agenda, Inc. and immediate past-board chair of Inforum. Pickard earned a Bachelor of Science in Human Services Administration from Ferris State University and a master's in Business Administration from Central Michigan University. She is a lifetime member of the NAACP, the National Council of Negro Women, the National Black MBA Association and a graduate of Leadership Detroit Class XVII. Habitat's 22-member board is responsible for establishing policy and guiding the organization's efforts to construct, rehabilitate, repair and improve housing in partnership with low-income families in more than 70 countries around the world. Habitat board members volunteer for two-year terms that can be renewed up to four times. About Habitat for Humanity International Habitat for Humanity International's vision is a world where everyone has a decent place to live. Anchored by the conviction that housing provides a critical foundation for breaking the cycle of poverty, Habitat has helped more than 4 million people construct, rehabilitate or preserve homes since 1976. Habitat also advocates to improve access to decent and affordable shelter and supports a variety of funding models that enable families with limited resources to make needed improvements on their homes as their time and resources allow. As a nonprofit Christian housing organization, Habitat works in more than 70 countries and welcomes people of all races, religions and nationalities to partner in its mission. To learn more, donate or volunteer visit habitat.org. (c) 2014 Michigan Chronicle |