Heather Hays, OTR, MHA, FACHE, CFRE
Vice President of Development & Communications
hhays@apdaparkinson.org
Heather joined APDA as the Vice President of Development in July 2023. She has an extensive background in Development and Fundraising, holding non-profit leadership roles within a variety of organizations throughout her career. Heather comes to APDA most recently from the RWJBarnabas Health hospital system in New Jersey and prior to her role there as Vice President of Development, she was the Executive Director of the Autism Speaks New Jersey Chapter.
In Heather’s early career, she was a practicing occupational therapist with extensive experience in the complex and challenging needs of the Parkinson’s community. She earned her degree in occupational therapy at the University of Minnesota and is a licensed occupational therapist. Heather received her master’s in health administration at George Washington University (GWU), and is board certified as a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives and an International Certified Fund Raising Executive. While at GWU, Heather received honors from the Upsilon Phi Delta Honor Society and served as an appointed member of the Accessibility and Inclusivity Council in the town of Westfield, NJ.