As a Conservation Policy Analyst in the Center for Conservation Innovation at Defenders, Heather works on wildlife conservation policy issues focusing on policy implementation and emerging policy issues and works with other Defender members to develop holistic approaches towards improving protections for threatened and endangered species and their habitat.

Heather has a background in wildlife conservation, prior to her time with Defenders, she worked at the Smithsonian’s National Zoological Park. Heather was involved in animal husbandry and care with a specialty in primate husbandry. She was also actively involved in community engagement, primate behavioral research and was a member of the Gibbon Species Survival Plan working group. Heather holds a Master of Arts in Global Environmental Policy from American University and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Anthropology from Northern Arizona University.

Before she was hired as staff, Heather served as 2021 Fall Policy Intern within the Center for Conservation Innovation at Defenders. She assisted the policy team analyzing and evaluating Habitat Conservation Plans under section 10 of the Endangered Species Act. She also interned at World Wildlife Fund and the City and County of Denver working on projects around climate action and sustainability.