Experience

Independence Foundation

• United States
• Non-profit Organizations
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Senior Program Officer

  • Jan 2017 - Present

  As a Senior Program Officer at the Independence Foundation overseeing the Beyond the Grantmaking body of work, Heather utilizes her extensive experience as a non-profit leader to create leadership experiences for staff and board members from Independence Foundation grantee organizations. Primary initiatives include: Conversations About Change Cohort - cohort includes 27 participants from 9 grantee organizations; participants include board members, executive leaders and rising leaders; cohorts operate for one year and tackle a variety of leadership topics including organizational culture, board evolution, managing growth, succession planning, and leading with strength through uncertain times. Rising Leaders Cohort – cohort includes 12-15 rising leaders from grantee organizations; participants are in roles in upper levels of an organization but not ultimate decision makers; cohorts operate for one year and content focuses on leadership issues relevant to those often “in the middle”; content includes communication, managing in all directions, leading from where one is, staffing, sustainability and organizational evolution. Peer Led Lunchtime Sessions – one off peer led conversations focused on topics of interest to grantees; content is broad reaching and includes staffing, leading through change, fundraising opportunities and challenges, boundaries in the workplace and non-traditional leadership models. Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Cohort – facilitated in partnership with VIP Community Services, this cohort is offered to staff and board members from grantee organizations interested in deepening their DEIB work both individually and organizationally; content first focuses on individual awareness raising, followed by tactical implementation of DEIB concepts in the workplace. Additionally, Heather works in partnership with grantees to design capacity building opportunities specific to their interests. Show less



Amethyst Consulting

• Greater Philadelphia Area

• Founder

  • Sep 2016 - Present

  Throughout her career, Heather has designed and implemented highly effective programs across a spectrum of philanthropic and public health issues. A gifted and sought-after public speaker, she specializes in trainings on program design, revenue models, volunteer management, and media strategy. With extensive experience in fundraising and board building, Heather has spent decades on initiatives tackling issues ranging from in-home environmental assessment and childhood obesity to mental health training for clinicians. Her experience includes: • founding and growing Students Run Philly Style over 12 years into one of Philadelphia’s largest youth movements. By 2016 she had doubled the organization’s budget (to over $1M), built a successful corporate sponsor program, implemented earned-income strategies, and expanded the volunteer base to more than 275 adults. • evolving the National Nursing Centers Consortium from a startup to a member organization engaging more than 100 nurse-managed health centers across the country. • volunteering for projects domestically as well as in India, Germany, and Italy. In 2014 she mentored a rising leader at a Brazilian social change organization as part of Sport for Community, developed by the U.S. State Department. Show less



Students Run Philly Style

• Greater Philadelphia Area

• Founder and Executive Director

  • Aug 2004 - Jul 2016

  Devised and implemented a mentoring model that uses long-distance running to support youths in unlocking their strengths and realizing their potential. Forged strong relationships with youths, families, communities, the School District, and the City of Philadelphia. • Grew the budget from seed funding to more than $1 million and the program from 50 to over 1,000 students/year (over 5,000 youth served). • Shifted revenue balance from 95% foundation funding to mix of corporate (54%), foundation (26%), individual (14%) and earned income (6%): o Built corporate sponsorship program and employee-engagement opportunities. o Built earned-income strategy and implemented several approaches. o Created individual giving campaign and secured significant in-kind donations. • Built national network of youth serving organizations using running as a transformational tool: o Recruited members o Co-facilitated 2 national conferences o Facilitated monthly calls • Established rapidly expanding volunteer base of more than 275 adults serving youth (with a return rate of more than 50%). • Established an Advisory Board and guided the recruitment of members at each organizational stage. • Formed relationships with local universities for sponsorships, events, and program evaluation. • Facilitated partnerships yielding additional opportunities for students in resilience building, intensive leadership, and academic support. • Created a recognizable brand identity in a large urban market, developing long-term relationships with local media (print, radio, television) and positioning staff, volunteers, and students as thought leaders. Show less



National Nurse-Led Care Consortium

• United States
• Public Health
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Director of Special Projects

  • May 1999 - Aug 2004

  Developed this alliance of nurse-managed centers as a forum to increase collaboration and improve management programs and capabilities. Worked closely with the Executive Director to oversee budgetary and diversify funding streams. Served as sole budgetary manager for individual programs and as liaison to city- and state-wide agencies on housing, health, and human services. Supervised staff, researched funding sources, and served as principal grant-writer. • Obtained funding for and directed a program to support nurses’ capacity to diagnose and treat depression in under-served populations (funded by the Pew Charitable Trusts). • Coordinated a lead poisoning prevention program for new mothers in North Philadelphia. • Liaised with RNCC member centers for the Covering Kids initiative, to promote health insurance enrollment for Philadelphia’s uninsured children. • Supported nursing students in a Leadership Development Program throughout the tri-state area. • Helped implement a collaborative program to reduce cardiovascular risk for African American women. Show less