MADISON — The Board of Directors of Project Home announced the appointment of Jessica Leinbach as its new Executive Director after an extensive national search. Jessica will succeed Denise Matyka, who will retire on September 30 after 29 years of dedicated service.
Jessica Leinbach said, “It’s an incredible honor to join Project Home and help carry forward more than 50 years of impactful service to this community. From the very beginning, I was drawn to the mission—and to the people who bring it to life every day. The team’s commitment to improving housing for low-to-moderate income residents is deeply inspiring, and I’m excited to listen, learn, and work alongside them to continue building safer, healthier, and more affordable homes across Dane and Green Counties.”
In April, with the announcement of Denise Matyka’s upcoming retirement, the board retained Peter Gray Executive Search to launch a national search that produced many highly qualified candidates. After careful deliberation and discussion relative to the organization’s current needs, Jessica Leinbach became the clear choice.
Matthew Friedlander, the President of Project Home’s Board of Directors, said: “We are pleased and excited to welcome Jessica Leinbach as the new Executive Director of Project Home. Her impressive background, which spans both the private sector and her work with Housing and Urban Development (HUD), gives her a unique and valuable perspective. What truly sets her apart was her strategic vision for the future, her passion for using data to drive positive change, and her leadership style centered on partnership and collaboration. We are confident that her leadership will guide Project Home into an exciting new chapter of growth and impact.”
Jessica Leinbach joins Project Home from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, where she managed complex compliance and quality systems, leading nationwide audits of FHA-approved lenders and servicers. Jessica has worked across housing systems, led large-scale operational efforts, built cross-functional teams, and supported organizational growth from under $100M to over $9B in housing volume. With experience in federal government, nonprofit settings, and affordable housing programs, Jessica’s work is rooted in the belief that housing is a human right, and that dignity, equity, and community must guide every decision.
Denise Matyka leaves an organization that has expanded substantially over her 29-year tenure as Executive Director. Denise’s leadership, with the support of talented and dedicated staff, has been essential to Project Home’s successful expansion from a team of 16 and a budget of $1.6 million, to its current team of 30 and budget of $7 million. “It has been an honor to lead Project Home for 29 years,” said Denise. “Our success is due to the talented staff, board and community partners who are driven by a commitment to Project Home’s mission. The need for our services has never been greater. Under Jessica’s guidance, I know Project Home will continue to be a leader in affordable housing, ensuring that every home is safe and sound.”
Jessica Leinbach will join Project Home on September 25, 2025, and is already working closely with Denise Matyka and Project Home’s staff and Board of Directors to ensure a smooth leadership transition.
Project Home, a 501c3 nonprofit organization founded in 1970, performs home repairs, accessibility modifications, and energy improvements to make homes healthier, safer, and to ease the financial burden of high energy bills for people who are struggling financially.
