Heather Lerner Email & Phone Number

San Jose, Ca, Us

United States

Jewish Silicon Valley is a non-profit organization focused on connecting, supporting, and advocating for the Jewish community in Silicon Valley.

As Chief Development Officer, I built our department by spotting new and developing talent, overseeing Development and Marketing for the council. We produced community facing marquee fundraising events, including Distinguished Citizen Award, Character Awards, Golf Tournament, Annual Council Dinner and the Community Leadership Breakfast featuring world leaders, to name a few. I led the development of Matching Funds from $7,000 annually to $170,000 (and still growing!) annually. We followed a… Show more As Chief Development Officer, I built our department by spotting new and developing talent, overseeing Development and Marketing for the council. We produced community facing marquee fundraising events, including Distinguished Citizen Award, Character Awards, Golf Tournament, Annual Council Dinner and the Community Leadership Breakfast featuring world leaders, to name a few. I led the development of Matching Funds from $7,000 annually to $170,000 (and still growing!) annually. We followed a strategic plan to address our reputation and awareness of the positive impacts of local Scouting. I am proud to have provided leadership to our development & marketing team with the expertise of our VP of Marketing (board position) to have doubled the attendance of Scout O Rama from 6,000 to 13,000 attendees in one year as a result of our focused efforts. This team, coupled with research and development, investment and trust of the Executive Board, and coordination between departments brought the opportunity of friendships and character to entirely new families. Paired with an incredible VP of Endowment (board position), we secured 40 new James E West Fellows a year and over $5,000,000 in bequests in under 3 years. I learned so much from Scouting and continue to believe in this youth character building program that is time-tested for over a century. Scouting is volunteer led and staff guided. My gratitude to the 4000 volunteers who dedicated their "one hour a week" to the children of our community, and who made my success possible. Show less

San Francisco Bay Area

Manage the Development Department, including budget, setting vision and direction of special events, one million dollar annual campaign, marketing, planned giving and major gifts with a staff of two direct reports and volunteer board leadership. Staff liaise to volunteer committees for BSA Alumni, Marketing and Endowment. In 2018, our department managed the largest grossing (and netting) event in the council history with the 44th annual Distinguished Citizen Award Dinner (turned rock… Show more Manage the Development Department, including budget, setting vision and direction of special events, one million dollar annual campaign, marketing, planned giving and major gifts with a staff of two direct reports and volunteer board leadership. Staff liaise to volunteer committees for BSA Alumni, Marketing and Endowment. In 2018, our department managed the largest grossing (and netting) event in the council history with the 44th annual Distinguished Citizen Award Dinner (turned rock concert..). Until we exceeded that again in 2021 with the Cristina Carnival. In 2020, we secured the keynote talents of AT&T CEO Randall Stephenson for our largest and highest grossing (and netting) community breakfast event. I look forward to exceeding that this May, as we feature 66th Secretary of State and Director of the Hoover Institute, Condoleezza Rice. Show less

San Jose, California

I was thrilled to be appointed when Happy Hollow Foundation decided to hire their first Executive Director in the organization's 40+ year history after serving on the board for several years. With a dedicated volunteer board, and later, one half time employee and a handful of contractors to help us along, I established signature events like the Hoot & Howl, Kristi Yamaguchi's Reading Adventures and Senior Safari Walkabout which helped San Jose earn the World Health Organization Age-Friendly… Show more I was thrilled to be appointed when Happy Hollow Foundation decided to hire their first Executive Director in the organization's 40+ year history after serving on the board for several years. With a dedicated volunteer board, and later, one half time employee and a handful of contractors to help us along, I established signature events like the Hoot & Howl, Kristi Yamaguchi's Reading Adventures and Senior Safari Walkabout which helped San Jose earn the World Health Organization Age-Friendly City designation. In addition to events, my administration were key partners in facilities development. We renovated habitats and added new exhibits and species to the zoo, including Giant Anteaters, Red Pandas, American Alligator. Wallabies, Turkey Vultures, Capybara and Spurred Tortoise animal habitat modernizations were also led by Happy Hollow Foundation investments. During my tenure, leaders of the board and I worked with city officials over three years on policy to institute Quarters for Conservation at admission, making every visit one that protects species around the globe. Working with funding from corporate partners, we brought healthy changes to the Picnic Basket, making the healthy choice the easy choice. Play exhibits like the Crooked House, Backyard Habitat, and Adventure Grove were also re-imagined, newly visioned, and funded using my experience with play theory and design and fantastic funding partners. Show less

Marketing and Communications for the largest youth theater in the nation. During the worst economic climate in the US since the 1970's, I was able to exceed ticket sales benchmarks well into double digit percentages through building relationships with our core clientele (parents & friends of performers) and motivating the teen performers to learn more about the business side of arts marketing to help exceed our goals.

Using the curriculum and direction from the wonderful Art House Kids in Willow Glen, I taught fine art for two years to 3rd-5th graders at Galarza and Hammer elementary schools. This experience changed the way I view the world and led me to see things from many different perspectives, both through the children I taught and the artists we studied together. A joyful experience that I continue to learn from every time I draw, paint or visit a museum.

This is where I learned that people give to people, not causes. It's also why I'm highly opinionated and in favor of grass roots giving. And if you're thinking of doing a rummage sale for a fundraiser, don't. But do think about who your audience is when planning an event. It's about them, not about you and what you think may be the greatest idea ever. Explorer taught me (and my kids!) how to be a good listener.

Bs, Recreation Administration

Activities and Societies: Associated Students RAM (Recreation Administration Majors) Adventure Connection trip & tour leader Homecoming.

High School Diploma