Leadership & Staff

Incoming Executive Director, Heidi Ward

Heidi Ward brings a career defined by community engagement, program development, and authentic storytelling. She is thrilled to step into a role at such a beloved and thriving organization.

Most recently, Heidi served as Director of the University of Pittsburgh’s Neighborhood Commitment in Greater Hazelwood, where she built meaningful connections between community priorities and university resources, driving impact in PreK-12 education, workforce development, and inclusive community initiatives. Prior to Pitt, Heidi served as Director of Community and Summer Education at Point Park University, designing participant-centered programs for high school students and lifelong learners. Heidi launched her early career in Los Angeles, where she produced content for a variety of television networks, including NBC’s Naturally, Danny Seo, which earned her a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lifestyle Programming.

A proud two-time Point Park University alumna, Heidi holds a bachelor’s degree in Cinema and Digital Arts and an MBA with a concentration in Management – the perfect combination for a leader who believes communities deserve both creative vision and strategic thinking.

Outside of work, Heidi enjoys exploring neighborhoods with her husband, Jon, and their dog, Plinko.  A proud Pittsburgh boomerang, Heidi is a self-proclaimed Kennywood enthusiast, puzzle extraordinaire, and always happy to meet at a local coffee shop.  And for those who love a fun fact: Heidi once served as a Tough Mudder obstacle-course tester.

Heidi is looking forward to meeting the people who make the Lauri Ann West Community Center special, saying, “I can’t wait to learn, play, and grow alongside this community.”

Heidi joins us on Monday, July 13.