A driven and proven leader, Heidi Ruehle has spent her 25+ year career dedicated to arts and culture initiatives, historic preservation, social welfare causes, and community development. Heidi has demonstrated a strong work ethic in every endeavor, thriving on tackling new challenges and executing results in a thorough, polished manner. She recently had the privilege of overseeing one of the world’s most architecturally significant buildings, Unity Temple, which is part of a UNESCO World Heritage site.Heidi has spent most of her career in non-profit work, initially serving refugees, families, and the homeless until moving into the world of historic preservation in 2013. In 2024, Heidi joined The Imagine Foundation team as Executive Director, leading the charge to raise $15 million in private philanthropy to support the Oak Park & River Forest High School's vital facilities improvements. Her role includes creating strategies to support fundraising efforts, community outreach, board development, and staff management.Heidi endeavors to establish collaborative partnerships both within the local community and in the national arts & culture world. She serves as a board member of the Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy and Resource Development Committee member for Landmarks Illinois. She has served as Vice-President of "The 20th Century Architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright" World Heritage Coalition, a former executive board member of the OPRF Chamber of Commerce and Visit Oak Park, and a volunteer docent at the Frank Lloyd Wright Home & Studio. An experienced manager, Heidi consistently creates a positive and collegial working environment, encouraging collaboration, support, and professional advancement. She values hard work, dedication, and loyalty, and believes transparency is vital in organizational governance, finance, and strategic planning. Heidi naturally leads by example and inspires staff and boards to set ambitious goals while providing tools to achieve them. Heidi received a B.S. degree in Interior Architecture and will graduate with a Master of Public Administration through the University of Illinois in 2025. Her long-term professional objective is to continue her commitment to historic preservation, community development, and non-profit management. Heidi lives in Oak Park with her husband and 16-year-old twins, all of whom have been required to tour more than their fair share of historic house museums. In her free time, she enjoys experiencing Chicago’s eclectic dining scene, travelling, and hiking.