Heather Martin

About Heather Martin

Having worked in both nonprofit and for-profit sectors, I am passionate about furthering the cause of grassroots organizations and laying the foundation for success through collaborative, adaptive and resourceful leadership. Over the years, I have helped enable startups, spinoffs, turnarounds and transformations, scaling operations and managing change for all business functions. I work to provide others with the direction and tools they need to thrive, shifting between big picture thinking and on-the-ground implementation.Partnering closely with senior leaders, the Board, sponsors and functional stakeholders, I am known for driving growth initiatives that expand mission reach and community impact. My teams of virtual employees understand the role they play in the bigger picture and hold themselves accountable to deliverables because they are brought into the fold and share the vision. You have to know where you want to go in order to get there. My strengths lay in providing organizations with strategic direction, solving complex problems, implementing solutions and driving change. Leveraging program management expertise and an information technology background, I build systems and processes that fully support cross-functional teams and organizational efficiency across Finance, HR, Operations, IT and Marketing. Follow through is critical to success, so I use data analytics and BI tools to track and measure progress towards goals. Staying connected to the community at large is also very important to me. Starting with partner alliances and expanding to industry conferences and volunteer work, I strive to provide thought leadership that keeps organizations current and relevant, moving a cause forward and providing value to diverse cultures and communities across the globe. Key Skills • Strategic Planning | Leadership• Budgeting | Forecasting | P&L• Acquisitions | Expansion• Grants | Financial Management• Startups | Transformation• Branding | Marketing Initiatives• Internal Controls | Governance• Partner Alliances | Negotiations• Human Resources | IT• Organizational Development • Virtual Workforce Planning• Diversity Equity and Inclusion

Experience

1. Chief Operating Officer

   Heading Home

   Oct 2024 — Present · Boston, MA, US

   As Chief Operating Officer, I provide strategic and operational leadership to advance Heading Home’s mission and long-term growth. Reporting directly to the CEO, I oversee enterprise-wide functions spanning Programs, Contracts & Compliance, Real Estate/Facilities, and Data, driving organizational alignment, accountability, and performance across all business units.Executive Leadership & Strategy• Serve as a trusted partner to the CEO and Board of Directors in shaping organizational strategy, governance, and execution.• Architect and implement business strategies, operating models, and policies that strengthen operational excellence and mission delivery.• Translate strategic vision into actionable plans, ensuring measurable impact and sustainable growth.Operational Excellence & Risk Management• Lead a high-performing team of senior executives to optimize cross-departmental coordination, data systems, and infrastructure management.• Oversee enterprise risk assessment, compliance, and quality assurance programs that ensure operational integrity and regulatory adherence.• Drive continuous improvement through data-driven performance metrics and organizational KPIs.Organizational Growth & Stakeholder Engagement• Cultivate strong partnerships with funders, community stakeholders, and internal teams to expand impact and resource capacity.• Provide the Board of Directors and Real Estate Committee with strategic insights, growth analysis, and operational forecasting.• Act as the CEO’s delegate and organizational leader during periods of executive transition or absence, ensuring stability and continuity.Culture & Impact• Champion a culture of accountability, innovation, and excellence, empowering teams to deliver mission-aligned outcomes efficiently and ethically.• Strengthened organizational resilience through modernization of systems, streamlined workflows, and strategic investment in talent and technology.

Education

• McGill University

  Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com.), Marketing, Management Information Systems

  1990 — 1994

• Carnegie Mellon University - Tepper School of Business

  Master of Business Administration (MBA), Information Systems & Finance

  1995 — 1997

• Cornell University

  Diversity and Inclusion Certificate

  2021 — 2021

Skills

• Human Resources
• Nonprofits
• Public Speaking
• IT Strategy
• Business Process Improvement
• Process Improvement
• Non-Profits
• Leadership
• Business Strategy
• Management
• Team Building
• Program Development
• Strategic Planning
• Project Planning
• Organizational Leadership
• Nonprofit Organizations
• Social Media
• Budget
• Marketing
• Consulting
• Strategy
• Budgets
• Community Outreach
• Executive Management
• Recruiting
• Negotiation
• Marketing Management
• Microsoft Office
• Fundraising
• Organizational Development
• Program Management
• Business Development
• Marketing Communications
• Small Business
• Human Resource Management
• Project Management
• Training