Heather graduated from the George Washington University in Washington, D.C. in 2004, with a B.A. in International Relations, and a concentration in Conflict & Security. She also earned her A.A. from Northampton Community College in Bethlehem, PA in 2001. Prior to joining ICTJ in 2008, Heather worked for the United Methodist Committee on Relief-NGO (UMCOR NGO) in New York, and the American Historical Association in Washington, D.C.