Full Circle Communities Names Lindsey Haines Permanent President and CEO
Haines, a 14-year veteran of the organization, has played a central role in Full Circle’s growth and is widely respected across the affordable housing community
CHICAGO — Full Circle Communities announced today that its board of directors has named Lindsey Haines president and chief executive officer. The board’s decision reflects 14 years of demonstrated leadership at the organization, deep expertise in affordable housing development, and the broad confidence Haines has earned from partners and peers across the field. Haines has served as interim president and CEO since late 2025.
“Lindsey has earned this. Her depth of experience, the respect she has built across the affordable housing community, and her unwavering commitment to Full Circle’s mission speak for themselves. We are proud to have her leading this organization into its next chapter,” said Celia Smoot, chair of the board of directors of Full Circle Communities.
Prior to her appointment as interim CEO, Haines served as executive vice president of real estate development, overseeing Full Circle’s development pipeline and working closely with property management and resident services teams to advance the organization’s mission. Under her leadership, Full Circle has participated in the development or preservation of more than 2,000 units of affordable housing across more than 20 communities in Illinois, Michigan, and Iowa, earning repeated recognition from the Affordable Housing Tax Credit Coalition, the American Planning Association, Landmarks Illinois, and the Chicago Neighborhood Development Awards, among others.
Before joining Full Circle Communities in 2011, Haines worked with nonprofit organizations focused on housing and community development. She holds a master’s degree in urban planning and policy from the University of Illinois Chicago and a bachelor’s degree from Illinois Wesleyan University. She serves on the board of directors of the Northwest Side Community Development Corporation.
“From the very beginning, Full Circle Communities has been built on a belief that affordable housing done well changes lives and strengthens communities. Lindsey embodies that belief in everything she does. I have watched her grow into an exceptional leader, and I have no doubt she will carry this organization’s mission forward with skill, care, and vision,” said David Gottlieb, vice chair of the board of directors and founding executive director of Full Circle Communities.
As president and CEO, Haines is focused on deepening Full Circle’s impact for residents, advancing innovation at the intersection of affordable housing development, property management, and supportive services, and positioning the organization for thoughtful, sustainable growth across the communities it serves.
“Full Circle Communities has spent more than 25 years proving that affordable housing can be transformative, not just adequate. Building on that legacy, my focus will be on growing this organization purposefully, deepening our impact for residents and communities, and continuing to push the boundaries of what mission-driven affordable housing development can achieve. I am excited for what we will build together,” said Haines.
Founded in 1999, Full Circle Communities has grown into a multi-state nonprofit developer and property manager with more than 2,000 units in its portfolio across Illinois, Michigan, and Iowa, serving low-income families, seniors, veterans, persons with disabilities, and individuals experiencing homelessness.
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About Full Circle Communities
Full Circle Communities is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to increasing access to quality affordable housing through preservation and development, thoughtful design, and the provision of significant and targeted services to residents and surrounding communities. Founded in 1999 and headquartered in Chicago, Full Circle operates across Illinois, Michigan, and Iowa, partnering with local, state, and federal agencies, nonprofit organizations, and community stakeholders to deliver impactful, mission-driven housing solutions.
