WHEDA welcomes Van Thiel to Community and Economic Development Team in Northeast Wisconsin

The Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA) announced that Lydia Van Thiel is the new Community and Economic Development Officer for the Northeast Region.

In this role, Van Thiel will utilize her skills in relationship-building and problem-solving to enhance the importance of safe, secure homes for all Wisconsinites in the 21-county Northeast region.

“Lydia will bring her talent to even more communities, building on the extraordinary collaboration we see in Northeast Wisconsin. The region is an economic powerhouse that will only benefit from more affordable housing for working families,” said Jon Searles, director of Community and Economic Development for WHEDA. “Lydia’s dedication to our mission is a tremendous asset to WHEDA.”

Before joining WHEDA, Van Thiel was the Blueprint to Prevent & End Homelessness director, implementing homelessness strategies in Brown County. She has built and nurtured relationships with diverse stakeholders, including government agencies, nonprofits, and businesses, bringing them together to coordinate services and develop solutions that impact housing accessibility. 

“I’m honored to join WHEDA and continue the mission of ensuring that everyone has a place to call home,” Van Thiel said. “My experience in homeless services has shown me the profound impact that stable housing can have on individuals and counties. I am excited to build on that work and collaborate with partners to address regional housing instability.”

Van Thiel holds a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work from the University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point and a Master of Public Administration from the University of Colorado–Colorado Springs. She has also served as director of programming, resident services coordinator, and case manager for organizations in Green Bay and Fort Collins, Colorado.