Heather Gordon
Heather Gordon is a dedicated U.S. Navy veteran and advocate for women veterans navigating the challenges of PTSD and addiction. Serving in the Navy from 1992 to 1999, Heather experienced firsthand the complexities of military life and its lasting impact, particularly on mental health. After facing her own struggles with alcohol and drug addiction and completing treatment, she committed herself to recovery and healing through trauma-informed therapy, discovering a deep passion for supporting other women veterans in similar journeys.
Currently, Heather serves as the Brand Ambassador for Bravo Zulu House, where she champions the nation’s first all-military women’s sober house. Focused on creating safe, dedicated spaces for women with co-occurring PTSD—whether from military sexual trauma, combat experiences, or other service-related trauma—she is instrumental in raising awareness and securing funding for a $2 million project in Mankato, Minnesota. Alongside her advocacy work, Heather interns at the Greater Minnesota Trauma Center, combining hands-on experience with her studies in expressive arts therapy to enhance trauma-informed recovery programs.
In addition to her veteran advocacy, Heather is pursuing a master’s degree in art therapy at Lesley University and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Design from Minnesota State University, Mankato. Her work blends creative expression with healing, reflecting her philosophy that true recovery requires addressing both mental health and self-worth. Through her leadership, Heather exemplifies resilience, purpose-driven service, and the power of creating spaces designed by women for women.
• Minnesota State University, Mankato - BA
• Zonta (Women Empowering Women)
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to realizing that I'm worth the fight and the struggle that I've been through. Realizing that my life and my future are still worth fighting for, and that there's so much more left for me to do. Even four years ago, I would never have comprehended those words. The healthier you get, the stronger you become, and the wholeness of healing from all of the trauma in the past is essential to feeling worthwhile, especially as a woman military veteran. I didn't feel that way for a really long time. It was a huge struggle. I had to really put down and get rid of everything and completely start life over. It was a matter of being brutally honest with myself and the things that I needed to do to make life better for myself and my children. It was giving up those old friends and old habits, and completely starting life over. My biggest accomplishment is realizing my worth and being able to love me as a whole person again.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received is that it’s possible to build a career that truly makes a difference in the lives of others while also prioritizing your own healing. I experienced this firsthand, completing trauma therapy during COVID, which allowed me to grow both personally and professionally.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering this industry is to remember that you can make a meaningful impact. Support one another, collaborate, and recognize that we are stronger together—your voice and contributions matter.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Being in this new role for three months and getting the $2 million needed to build this home for women is the biggest challenge right now. This will be the very first home built to help women veterans heal from PTSD, as there is already a men's home in Winnebago, Minnesota that opened this past fall and is about half full. One of the greatest parts of this project is that our implementation team and our advisory board is all women, so women are designing the house for the women. It won't be a cookie cutter of the men's home at all - it will be completely different. We're hoping to break ground this fall once we get the funds and have it open in spring of 2027. The important part is that it's the first of its kind, and I'm positive that it won't be the last.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The most important value to me is being able to use my years of service and my personal experience to make a difference in the lives of other women who are war heroes and suffer from PTSD. As a veteran who has and still does suffer from PTSD myself, I couldn't turn away from this opportunity when it literally fell into my lap. Especially as a woman who has been through the struggle of getting sober and doing trauma therapy, I am extremely passionate about putting the word out there and helping these women get the help they need to heal completely and become productive members of society. Having a space where women veterans can focus on both their sobriety and their PTSD is essential, and being able to advocate for them and branch out beyond just the spaces where I can walk in the door and shake somebody's hand is incredibly important to me. This mission is one of a kind and needs to be shown to the world, because there should be more of these homes.