Catherine Heatley

I started my career in administrative services for a rural mental health network and earned my master's degree in healthcare administration. I developed interests in more direct community support, which led me to become a 911 dispatcher, work that I really loved and would probably still be doing if we hadn't moved and started our family. About 8 years ago, I joined a national nonprofit literacy organization where I spent over 7 years working my way up through transitional periods into the Director of Programs role, which I held for a couple of years until the department downsized and I accepted a layoff. During that time, I volunteered with my children's schools and in the community. An opportunity came up with Wonder Feet Kids Museum, where I had visited with my own family and partnered on projects in previous years, so it was a natural fit for me to pursue. I just started as their Executive Director. My main area of expertise is operations and systems - I really enjoy looking internally at what's working, what's not, and figuring out what an organization can put into place to make the work more impactful but also easier for the people doing it. I'm a time blocker and planner who likes to balance day-to-day tasks with bigger picture thinking, and I love working hands-on with people directly, which the museum allows me to do with individual visitors while also thinking about the broader landscape.