October 25, 2024 @ 4:00 p.m. MT | The Planning Lecture sponsored by Student APA
About Lecture
From painter to nonprofit director, learn about Heather’s career path as she highlights how planning school uniquely enhanced her ability to reach higher levels of management within operational roles. This session will reveal how strategic vision, effective resource allocation, clear communication, and detailed project management can be applied for success in nontraditional careers. Attendees will discover how to leverage planner core competencies and a professional network to navigate and excel within any career, potentially transforming their professional approach to reach their goals.
Bio
Heather Goetsch is the lead for operations in the U.S. Market Transformation & Development (U.S. MTD) department at USGBC. In her role, she provides internal focus essential to supporting a thriving and growing department, including delivery of high-value and quality engagements, client-oriented market development strategies and tools, and streamlined operational processes that meet USGBC standards and enable team success. This includes facilitating strategic planning, effective resource allocation, budget management, clear communication channels, and cross-functional liaison. Heather brings over 15 years of experience working in highly independent roles that require decision-making, problem-solving, strong communication, and resourcefulness in the nonprofit sector. Throughout her career, she has led volunteers, secured and managed grants, written strategic plans, produced all sizes of in-person and digital events, presented publicly to a variety of audiences, and was a leader for change management, among many other tasks and projects. Heather’s past roles and education provided her with knowledge of several specific aspects of sustainability, including food systems, public health, urban planning, transportation, and green building. Her experience and knowledge led to volunteer leadership opportunities at national, state, and local scales. She served on the American Planning Association’s (APA) Leadership Development Task Force; a group tasked with strategizing methods to foster future leaders within APA nationally. She was honored to serve as a judge for APA's 2019 and 2020 National Planning Awards. Heather previously served as director of the board for the Wisconsin Citizen’s Utility Board, a state-level consumer advocacy organization that works to ensure affordable and equitable energy for utility customers. She also previously served on the Architectural Review Commission in her local community. Heather earned a B.S. in Conservation and Environmental Science, a Master of Urban Planning from the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee and holds a LEED Green Associate credential.
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