Hi, I’m Heather!
I have over 9 years of experience in the education/expanded learning field, with over 13 years in government and policy work. I currently am the program Director for Policy and Outreach for the California AfterSchool Network (CAN). In this role I lead all aspects of CAN's state and national policy and advocacy related activities, oversee the outreach and communication efforts of CAN and serve as part of the senior leadership for CAN supporting the strategic direction of the organization and helping to oversee organizational operations. Prior to this role I served as the Strategic Initiatives & Partnerships Lead for the Expanded Learning Division at the California Department of Education. There I oversaw the development and implementation of a strategic plan that reshaped the Division to focus on providing high quality expanded learning opportunities for California’s youth.  As a key component of this work, I help ensure strong, ongoing engagement of external stakeholders and advisers throughout this process. I also collaborated with the team to raise and manage nearly $2,000,000 in grant funds to support strategic planning.

Previously I worked at the State Treasurer's Office (STO) in several capacities. I served as a Treasury Analyst focusing on Environmental Finance at the California Alternative Energy & Advanced Transportation Financing Authority. In that role, I worked on program development and implementation for new green financial incentives within California. Before that, I was as an analyst in the Public Finance Division where I developed a solid foundation in the area of public bond financing. Prior to that work, I was fortunate to be selected for the Executive Fellowship Program where I was subsequently placed in the STO Executive Office (www.csus.edu/calst/executive_fellowship_program.html).

I received my BA in Political Science from CSU Fullerton. During that time, I was heavily involved with student advocacy work primarily with the Associated Students, Inc. including serving as President and CEO between 2006 and 2008 and as a member of the California State Student Association's Executive Committee and Board of Directors from 2006 to 2008.

While I grew up and went to college in Southern California, I’ve lived in the Sacramento Region for over thirteen years and am happy to call Sacramento my home. Today I live with my husband and cat in West Sacramento and enjoy exploring all that the region has to offer. I also currently serve as the Chair of Inspire Giving, a program of the Sacramento Metro Chamber Foundation. Every year Inspire Giving provides a $10,000 grant to help fund a specific project for a local non-profit. Through our Leadership Council, donors, and partnerships, Inspire Giving also provides in-kind services, donations, and support depending on the project needs.