Heidi Ann Ecker, Iom Email & Phone Number

Arlington, Va

Company and Role: As a registered lobbyist, direct strategic government, political, & digital engagement on behalf of chain companies (i.e. Kroger, Walgreens, Walmart) filling 3 billion prescriptions & 900 associate members who supply products at the “front end” of pharmacies. Supervise a team carrying out NACDS federal and state grassroots/grasstops tactics, NACDS Political Action Committee fundraising and political contribution strategies, and all website, advertising, infographic, and social media digital strategies to advance the pharmacy community’s image and NACDS federal and state policy priorities.Direct well over $1 million in annual government affairs, communications and NACDS-PAC budgets, legal & FEC compliance reporting activities (i.e. LD-2, LD-203), state PAC compliance reporting in 7 states, national political convention activities, vendor contracts/projects, & results of supportive consultants. Orchestrate both campaign-focused and day-to-day web, advertising, and social media strategies across Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and other social media platforms to accomplish NACDS objectives by monitoring, responding as a visual storyteller, pro-actively connecting virtual dialogue to NACDS issue priorities, and setting/analyzing digital metrics.Engage C-suite leaders, company employees, and allied entities to maximize campaign engagement outcomes of the 2009-launched RxIMPACT grassroots brand/programs I authored. Programs can be seen at rximpact.org, pharmacyvoter.org and include our Advocate Team, Pharmacy Tour Program, Hill Day, Employee Training Program, Key Contact Program, & Leadership Series.Highlights include: 2009-2021 recruited/scheduled/prepped advocates for over 4,000 face-to-face and virtual Hill meetings; pitched tours/sites/press and prepped executive tour hosts for over 700 pharmacy tours for Congress; and revamped PAC budgeting process and audited PAC programs to strategically contributors.

Company and Role: Worked on behalf of Winning Connections clients -- such as Blue Cross Blue Shield, AARP, Verizon, Anheuser-Busch, AOL/Time Warner, and Democratic candidates/incumbents -- to educate and mobilize millions of voters, association members and corporation employees to deliver grassroots support or public education to reach client goals.• Surveyed the legislative and political landscape on issues such as healthcare, technology, and business and financial services to understand current policymaking activities and emerging debates to inform clients and potential clients of valuable opportunities to influence policymaking and public opinion.• Incorporated client goals, which may focus on national, state and/or local perspectives, into aforementioned survey to create strategic and targeted grassroots advocacy plans to ensure clients not only accomplish legislative, regulatory and public education goals, but have measurable outcomes.

Alexandria, Va

Company and Role: Worked on behalf of the nation’s 24,000 independent community pharmacies – which dispense nearly 1/2 of the nation's retail prescription medicines – by inspiring advocates to participate in grassroots programs and contribute to both the NCPA Political Action Committee (PAC) and NCPA Legislative Defense Fund (LDF). •Within one year, substantially grew the NCPA-PAC through diversified fundraising (i.e. calls, mailings, programs and special events like the Political Pharmacist Silent Auction, Aruba Sunset Dinner Cruise). Hosted “district” fundraisers.•Successfully raised funds for the million dollar NCPA-LDF that supports NCPA government relations activities and campaigns. Increased funds via fundraising audits, scheduling cyclical/regional fundraising events, involving the board in fundraising activities, and ensuring diversified fundraising programs.

Company and Role: Direct all business, financial, strategic, leadership & legislative operations to support NCPPA and its unity of public and private collaborative partnerships to address barriers to physical activity and promote incentives resulting in greater adherence to recommended physical activity behaviors. Lead members to lobby for adjusting the tax code to alter the list of what is medically eligible for FSAs/HSAs to allow for purchase of sports equipment. • Ensured nonprofit legal and administrative reporting compliance requirements of NCPPA’s 501c3 and 501c4 entities while recruiting new members and retaining such members as the American Heart Association, American College of Sports Medicine, Nike, National Recreation & Park Association, National Athletic Trainers’ Association, National Football League Players Association, Shaping America's Health, USA Swimming, USA Track & Field, Sporting Goods Manufacturers’ Association, YMCA, International Health, Racquet, & Sportsclub Association and state/local groups.• Lobbied entities such as Congress, Congressional Youth Sports Caucus, Congressional Fitness Caucus and the President’s Council on Physical Fitness & Sports to promote sound policies on physical activity, obesity, lifestyle issues.

Company and Role: Worked on behalf of the nation’s 2.7 million nurses by directly educating Members of Congress and staff on nurse shortages, workplace safety, professional education, nurse retention, patient protections and appropriations. Developed and orchestrated fundraising programs and political activities/support for ANA-PAC endorsed candidates. Registered lobbyist. Attended DC political and PAC events.• Within one year, grew ANA’s PAC accounts from $350K to $850K by conducting fundraising audits, scheduling cyclical and regional fundraising events, involving the board in fundraising activities, and scheduling diversified solicitations.• Perfected national grassroots by communicating updates via fax/email/mail systems and presented grassroots speeches and legislative updates at state association annual meetings. Created new membership benefits and grassroots programs, promoted such benefits to members and provided state groups with programmatic technical assistance.• Established viability criteria for evaluating Presidential and Congressional candidates, analyzed candidate positions and races, conducted face-to-face interviews & determines strategic support (grassroots, in-kind, and IEs). Directed the ANA Presidential Endorsement process (interviewed 7 of 10 candidates: Dean, Edwards, Gephardt, Kerry, Kucinich, Lieberman, Moseley-Braun) and RN activities for ANA-endorsed Kerry-Edwards.

Company and Role: Represented 50,000 osteopathic physicians (D.O.s) via lobby activities to promote medical malpractice reform, Medicare reimbursement, patients’ rights, medical education, reduction of regulatory burden, voluntary medical error reporting, and adequate health appropriations for such issue areas. Registered lobbyist. Attended DC political and PAC events.• Managed advocacy budgets, 2 staff, 3 grassroots programs and Washington communications to: (1) encourage grassroots by directing fly-ins, trainings, monthly hotlines, weekly e-alerts; and (2) promote issues via media, ads, op-eds. Worked with over 70 state and specialty medical colleges and public communities to host visibility events, establish ground support on behalf of issue campaigns and mobilize memberships. Traveled nationwide to give talks.• Worked with AOA department heads to build department synergy and ensure grassroots programs, advocate efforts and legislative results were promoted as a member victory via the web, meetings, leadership speeches, publications, press releases and other communication outlets to build a sense of community.• Developed, directed & orchestrated all grassroots, legislative, media, public relations planning for the D.O. Day on Capitol Hill and hosted 10 such events growing participation from 20 to 1,500 attendees. In connection with this twice-a- year event, raised $100K from sponsors, state associations & specialty medical colleges to support program activities.

Company and Role: Wrote, edited, & formatted an 18 pg bimonthly publication reviewing federal/state sexual health policy, federal funding impact, and ways to win private and government grants. Published over 25 issues and hundreds of stories for a readership of over 500 health associations & state/ local public health departments.• Interviewed officials as a member of the Press and reviewed news trends by attending agency and Congressional hearings and meetings, networking with policymakers and monitoring Congressional/White House activities. Attended sexual- health based federal advisory council meetings and synthesized meeting activities into news articles.• Analyzed structure of available federal agency RFPs and speculated potential program funding opportunities. Interviewed officials to help readers submit favorable grant applications. Interviewed recent federal-agency grantees and ‘model programs’ throughout the states to illuminate successful grant-winning and program coordination.• Interviewed HHS Secretary Shalala about Congressional Black Caucus efforts for state of emergency funds & covered Supreme Court Bragdon v Abbott opinions, its first case examining the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Washington, Dc

Company and Role: Advocated on behalf of the unique concerns of HIV positive and at-risk children, youth, women & families and their service providers via policy research, education and advocacy.Exercised a high degree of coalition building in this role.• Participated in 16 coalitions (including National Organizations Responding to HIV/AIDS), attended agency meetings and congressional hearings, wrote congressional testimony, and crafted advocacy strategies/policy materials.• Obtained a testimony slot for HIV-infected mother before the Senate Appropriations Labor/HHS Subcommittee and secured a 14% ($5M) increase in FY98 funds for Ryan White CARE Act Title IV via lobbying/grassroots. Prepared witness, wrote testimony and planted committee member questions to illuminate policy needs.

Washington, Dc

Washington, Dc

Ba, Political Science

Activities and Societies: Fellow for State Rep. Joseph Wagner (D-MA) 1993

Education record