After receiving her doctorate in political science from Purdue University, Heather Coleman Trippel began her career in academic advancement, working closely with alumni and donors as a major gift officer at the University of Chicago and, subsequently, at her alma mater, Santa Clara University.

In 2006, Heather joined the External Relations team at the Stanford Graduate School of Education (GSE) where she focused on building the school's major gift portfolio and was responsible for managing the school's volunteer advisory council. In 2008, she was appointed director of development for the Stanford Initiative on Improving K-12 Education and later served as the director of development for the GSE’s fundraising efforts.  In 2016, Heather embraced the role of associate dean of external relations at the GSE.  Earlier this year, she became a senior associate director of principal gifts in Stanford’s central Office of Development.