Heather Kopec brings an entrepreneurial perspective to developing annual giving strategies, and integrating new technology to propel giving at Virginia Tech. Heather is responsible for developing an innovative one-to-many fundraising program aimed at increasing the alumni giving rate from 12% to 22% by 2022 while also sustainably growing current-use funds. Her strategies are deeply rooted in marketing analytics, behavioral segmentation, and encouraging a test-and-learn team environment.

In her career, Heather has worked for numerous universities at RNL, and then at the University of Wisconsin-Madison where she was the Director of Annual Giving. Heather worked to align campus partners and cross-functional teams to be at the forefront of best practices. 

Heather has a BA in Studio Art from Knox College and an MBA from the Wisconsin School of Business. She has also served on the Board of Trustees for her alma mater and Free Bikes 4 Kids. In her free time she can be found riding her bicycle, quilting, or traveling.