Heather grew up in Napa Valley working on her family’s ranch and spent every minute outside exploring. She attended CSU Channel Islands and received a degree in Environmental Science and Resource Management with a minor in Art. After graduation, she worked at Conejo Open Space Conservation Agency as an Open Space Technician managing volunteer groups, developing and building trail systems, working on invasive species removal projects, running educational programs, and maintaining open space facilities. After moving back to Napa, Heather volunteered with Napa County Regional Park & Open Space District maintaining their open space areas. She was also a founding member of Women Stand Up–St. Helena and put on Women Summit Napa Valley, an event created to inspire women to get involved in the political process. Heather has worked on environmental projects worldwide, including mangrove forest and rocky reef preservation in Jalisco, mapping and removing invasive species in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina and reviewing sustainable environmental policies in Japan.

In her spare time, she is an avid trail runner and backpacker.