Heidi Waltner-Pepper draws upon more than 30 years of experience working with a broad range of nonprofits. Beginning her nonprofit career in marketing and public relations for several arts and cultural institutions, in Philadelphia and Illinois, Heidi found her passion in development and began her career in corporate and foundation giving. Working in small to mid-sized nonprofits, Heidi became a skilled fundraising generalist and spent much of her career at the Big Shoulders Fund in Chicago where she held positions as the chief development officer and executive director.
In her various fundraising and consulting roles, Heidi has worked to recruit and build effective teams, develop major gift programs, conduct capital campaigns, create efficient fundraising systems and processes and ultimately increase fundraising results. At the core of Heidi’s consulting philosophy is the importance of developing authentic relationships.
The specific consulting services Heidi delivers include feasibility studies and capital campaign counsel, major gift program development, development assessments and fundraising plans, along with recruiting top development talent. She also leads the executive search division at TWB and serves as the liaison to Kittleman and Associates, a strategic partner with TWB.
Some of her recent clients include BUILD Inc., Marklund, Northern Suburban Special Recreation Association (NSSRA), Born Free, USA, and Monthaven Arts & Cultural Center.
Heidi is a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, WFARE (White Fundraisers Advocating for Racial Equity) Committee, Women in Development Professions, an alumna of the Development Leadership Consortium and the Illinois Federation of Music Teachers.
Heidi earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of South Dakota and a master’s degree in arts administration from the University of Illinois at Springfield. Heidi, her husband Donovan, and their two boys, live in Oak Park, Illinois.
