At Bat for Ashley Rountree: Heather Allen
“At Bat” is the Ashley|Rountree series that introduces you to our staff and consultants on a more personal level. The series name is a nod to our baseball-loving founder, Jeff Ashley, and the collaborative spirit of our team members who go to bat every day for our nonprofit client partners.
This month, meet our consultant Heather P. Allen, CFRE. With more than 24 years of leadership in direct fundraising – primarily in healthcare and social services – she also has a strong background in public health, community outreach, administrative leadership, and marketing. In her work with Ashley|Rountree, Heather specializes in development audits, creating and enhancing sustainable fundraising programs, campaign preparation, board governance, and financial systems and reporting.
Her executive experience includes work with The Julian Center, University of Florida Health-St. John’s, the Bloomington Health Foundation, and Hosparus Health, and she has served on the boards of St. John’s Healthcare Leadership Academy (University of Florida Health), Rotary of St. Augustine, and the Indiana Parks and Recreation Foundation. She has extensive experience in strategic planning, team development, and stakeholder engagement and takes pride in her direct, no-nonsense approach to impacting change for the greater good.
Heather is a graduate of Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business, and she earned her CFRE designation in 2007. A resident of southern Indiana, Heather has a 20-year-old son, Mitch, and 19-year-old twin daughters, Ruby and Lily. She loves spending time with them and her partner, Ed Perry, doing outdoor activities, including hiking, paddle boarding, and kayaking.
Now batting for Ashley|Rountree, here’s Heather. Learn more about her while you jam to her at-bat music, “Won’t Back Down” by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers!
What has been on your reading list recently?
I enjoy deep, and thought-provoking books and articles on history, religion, and important historical figures, including The Untethered Soul by Michael Singer and the Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis.
On the lighter side of things, I LOVE the old-school Reader’s Digest! I vastly prefer turning real pages and find the easy-going, nostalgic, and light articles uplifting. Often, with the regular news and the heaviness of my social service work, I enjoy escaping to the predictable sections that engage my mind….but really feel more like a cozy sweater and a good cup of coffee.
What are some of your favorite destinations?
I LOVE hiking and exploring with my grown children at national parks. So far, we have visited 10, and we plan to hit more of them in the coming years – including anywhere I can see the Northern Lights! The Utah parks are my favorite for the beauty and serenity of their red rocks. The vast opportunities for adventure and exploration help me reconnect with myself and show up for everyone else in more meaningful ways. These adventures also keep me in shape and young at heart, and build lasting memories with my family.
If you were going to give someone a personal tour of your hometown, how would you spend the day?
I was born and raised in Bloomington, Indiana, and stayed for college so I could be close to home. I have lived in other places, including Louisville, Kentucky and St. Augustine, Florida, but am always drawn back to the rolling hills and easy-breezy nature of the Midwest.
When I made visits back home, we would explore off-the-trail hiking experiences known to the locals, as well as the vibrant expressions Indiana University created in town. The trip would not be complete without some hot wings on Kirkwood Avenue at Buffalo Louie’s, a stroll through the Indiana Memorial Union with a high-five to the Herman B. Wells statue in the park, and an IU basketball game! And the singing janitor video before all IU games, beginning in about 1976, is a healing balm for this nostalgic soul in the best kind of way!
Have you had a favorite project or client partner?
By far, my favorite projects are around hospice and end-of-life care because they are so impactful to people in some of the most difficult times of their lives. The individuals that make up these organizations are truly a special and humble breed, so it’s always a privilege to work with them. I had the good fortune to help build a 15-room Hospice House for IU Health in Bloomington, which is a model nationally. While finishing the campaign, someone very close to me was dying from cancer. She didn’t get the opportunity to use Hospice House, as she passed three days prior to its opening. But we used flowers from her service for the grand opening, which was the most profound intersection of my work and personal life that I had ever experienced. It will always hold a great place of honor and gratitude in my heart.
Lightning round!
- French fry dipping sauce: Mayo
- Cards or Cats: Cats
- Dogs or cats: Dogs
- Comfort food: Potatoes in all forms!
- Favorite holiday: Thanksgiving
- Favorite season: Spring
Have any burning questions for us? Would you like to see a particular team member featured? Let us know!