Nicole Heckman Email & Phone Number

Washington, District Of Columbia, United States

Washington, District Of Columbia, United States

Washington D.C. Metro Area

We launched Benefits Access in 2021 to help more low-income older adults access benefit programs, such as paid family leave or government support to afford nutritious food. Benefits can help the 36 million low-income adults over age 50 in the United States to afford everyday essentials and navigate unexpected life events that can strain household finances. Older adults face unique access barriers, such as caregiving duties, health issues, immobility, cognitive decline, and social isolation, which contribute to lower rates of enrollment compared to younger adults. Systemic racism, compounded by discrimination based on gender, age, ability, and nationality, limits access to social services, financial capital, and jobs that pay well and provide benefits, negatively impacting the wellbeing of far too many older adults of color.Through our portfolio of programs, we work to increase benefit program awareness, remove enrollment barriers, and maximize benefit value.

Brooklyn, Ny

Developed and prototyped solutions using equity-centered design aimed at increasing New Yorkers' access to quality affordable housing.

Memphis, Tn

Co-founded and scaled research, strategy, and design firm that helped organizations exceed their goals through the discovery of deep human insights, data-driven strategy development, and crafting the path to implementation. Led strategy and new product engagements in healthcare, transportation equity, entrepreneurship, small scale manufacturing, education, civic asset utilization and economic development.Established human-centered design as viable approach to addressing complex challenges in Memphis; demonstrated utility to a locally skeptical civic, philanthropic and business community.

Memphis, Tn

Co-facilitated multi-day design thinking workshops with business and community leaders, featuring immediate application of methods on real-world projects to maximize skill building.

Greater Memphis Area

Developed and taught hands-on undergraduate entrepreneurship course where students applied data-driven, lean start-up methods to their business ideas.

Greater Memphis Area

Catalyst & co-founder of a lifestyle brand for the fast-growing specialty foods market. Sold majority ownership in 2014.

Memphis, Tn

Established a blended innovation team comprised of marketing, IT, and operations experts to build and implement bold, customer-centric products and strategies. Led strategic, technology-driven growth initiatives requiring cross-functional collaboration across operating companies.

Greater Memphis Area

Public Leadership Credential

Mba, Marketing

Bachelor Of Arts - Ba, Psychology