Heather joined United Policyholders in 2025 with a desire to more actively support individuals
and families before and after disasters. Leveraging her skills in organizational process and continuity of operations, and her extensive experience in disaster response, volunteer management and adult learning models, she joins the senior staff as Program and Operations Officer.

Heather became a disaster nerd in 2012, joining the American Red Cross thanks to a whale in the San Francisco Bay. Some notable responses that involved a huge coordinating effort include leading the Red Cross response efforts for the Ghostship Fire in Oakland in 2014, and running a call center for the Hurricane Harvey response in 2017 with over 200+ temporary staff.

Heather has led programs in organizational preparedness education, and has helped countless nonprofits develop response and recovery plans. She also helped establish and support VOAD organizations throughout Northern California.