Growing up in a large Filipino-Irish Catholic family in Chicago, Will Mohring spent countless afternoons at sprawling barbecues at his grandmother’s house. His Lola (Tagalog for “grandmother”) would cook a feast of whole fish, rice, lumpia, pancit noodles, and coconut confections. But for Will, it wasn’t just about the menu.
“Those meals were her gesture of caring. Someone may not have known they wanted or needed that care, but she taught me that you just go ahead and do it,” Will said.
That’s one of his strongest memories of service from his childhood, one he carries with him today. He’s been a devoted volunteer through different life stages spent in different parts of the country. In high school in Chicago, Will volunteered to go bowling with kids with developmental disabilities. In college in San Francisco, he served in student government and his political science fraternity. When he moved to Washington, D.C., he volunteered at a food bank. And after he moved to Portland six years ago, he found new ways to serve: on his local school board and volunteering with Habitat.
“It’s always been important for me to have an impact. I’ve been blessed with opportunity that I’ve been able to take advantage of that not everyone has,” he said. “Being of service is my way of paying it forward.”
In 2020, he became a realtor — and in helping families find a home, he was struck by what it meant to them.
“I saw firsthand how emotional and meaningful it is for someone to buy, or sell, a home. They often see it as a significant accomplishment of their lifelong dream to have a safe, comfortable space for themselves or for their kids to grow up and make memories,” he said. “Having a home of your own means freedom, stability, and possibility.”
After a few years as a realtor, Will had an “aha” moment that he could maximize his impact by combining his personal passion for service with knowledge from his professional career. In January of 2024, he connected with Habitat for Humanity Portland Region.
“That’s why I wanted to connect with Habitat — because they’re offering the freedom, stability, and possibility of homeownership to people it hasn’t always been available to.”
He immediately jumped in, leading advocacy and fundraising efforts, and then volunteering to become the Chair of the Ambassador Council (AC) in 2025. The AC is a diverse group of young professionals who support Habitat through volunteering, advocacy, fundraising, and engaging their networks. They’re always welcoming new people who believe in Habitat’s mission of providing safe, decent, and affordable homes.
One of Will’s favorite events is the Trivia on the Lawn fundraiser in the summer. Not because he’s especially good with trivia (“terrible at it, in fact…probably the worst one on my team of eight,” Will admits), but because unlike many forms of fundraising he experienced when he worked in politics, this one is laid-back and accessible to more of the community.
“It’s a win-win that we’re raising money and having a good time doing it. I’ve been to a lot of formal galas that are $1,000 a table or whatever, and they have their place,” Will said. “But I so appreciate that Trivia on the Lawn is a low-key picnic! It’s an affordable, casual, bring-a-camp-chair style event.”
Kind of like his Lola’s barbecues.
The next Trivia on the Lawn will be held on Friday, June 20. Tickets are available starting May 7!
Interested in joining the Ambassador Council or have questions? Contact tiffanie.mcnamee@habitatportlandregion.org
