FORT COLLINS - Fort Collins Habitat for Humanity on Wednesday announced that Kristin Candella has been hired as its new executive director.

Habitat held its ceremonious "Passing of the Hammer" event at its 50th home-build site to symbolize the shift in leadership to Candella from Candace Mayo, the retiring executive director.

Candella previously served as development director and deputy director for the InnovAge Foundation in Denver. She also worked for Fort Collins Habitat from 2003 to 2007 as the organization's resource development director.

Mayo led the organization for 12 years, after making the shift from a volunteer board of directors.