Board Member Spotlight: Heather Anderson

Visitor Turned Ambassador

Heather first experienced Greeley as a visitor exploring a new city and a long-distance relationship. Now, four years later, she’s a married Greeley resident with a mission to help others enjoy and appreciate all that our hometown has to offer!

“Greeley has been very warm and welcoming with open arms,” Heather says.

Originally from Sidney, Nebraska, Heather’s family never spent much time in Greeley. “If we needed to go to the city we usually went to Ft. Collins or Cheyenne. Growing up, I didn’t know that Greeley had so much to offer,” Heather recalls.

When she first learned about Greeley’s cultural heritage and creative activity as a visitor, she was surprised and delighted. A photographer herself, she has a deep appreciation for the arts and the influence they have upon a community.

While raising her children in Nebraska, Heather spent the better part of 20 years running her own photography business which specialized in portraiture and design. Owning the business led Heather to get involved with the Cheyenne County Chamber of Commerce in Sidney, where she became a member and eventually served as the Communications Director. She loved being able to facilitate connections and provide resources to folks so that they could engage with the community. This work paved the way for her to become the county’s tourism director and ultimately set her upon her current career path.

So naturally, when Heather decided to move to Greeley, she sought a position at the local chamber of commerce where she worked briefly before the upheaval of the pandemic. Out of work like so many others, Heather decided to go back to college to complete her degree. In 2021 she graduated from UNC with her Bachelors degree in Human Services, earning an Academic Achievement Award.

Heather Anderson at her graduation from UNC in May 2021

Later that fall, Heather was finally able to step into her current role as the Director of Visit Greeley where she now works as an ambassador of sorts introducing visitors to all that Greeley has to offer.

It was in this capacity that Heather first became connected with us at the Greeley Creative District. With her background in the arts, her relationship with the chamber and our shared mission to highlight the artistic and cultural identity of our city, she has been an excellent partner and ally on our board.

As the board looks ahead and considers future goals and initiatives, with an eye on the projected growth for Greeley, Heather hopes to be able to help us find ways to celebrate our traditions and heritage while also embracing the tremendous diversity of our growing community.

“Today there are over 100 different languages spoken in our school district. That means Greeley is home to a multitude of different traditions, cultures and varied experiences. I hope we are able to find ways to represent and honor these differences.”

We are so grateful to have her heart for inclusion and community on the board!

by: Dana Buckingham