Melwood Announces New Hire of Vice President to Lead Fund Development Team

April 4, 2022

Heather Sherman brings a wealth of fundraising experience to the Melwood team

UPPER MARLBORO, Md., April 4, 2022 – Melwood, a leading national employer, advocate and preferred provider for people with disabilities, today announced the addition of Heather Sherman as the company’s new Vice President of Fund Development. In this role, Sherman will plan, implement and manage a comprehensive fundraising program to partner with individual and corporate donors at all levels to fuel Melwood’s mission of creating a world where people with disabilities are fully included.

Sherman’s 25 years of experience in all areas of fundraising, including direct response; major and planned giving; corporate, foundation, and government support; and workplace giving will bring a strategic, forward-thinking lens to Melwood’s fund development efforts. Throughout her career, Sherman has raised more than $100 million for large, national nonprofits including the National Society for Daughters of the American Revolution, The Cultural Landscape Foundation, and AARP Foundation, as well as smaller, regional nonprofits including the Girl Scouts Counsel of the Nation’s Capital.

“I’m thrilled to support Melwood’s mission to reimagine the workforce of the future and build a more inclusive society, helping support the programs and processes that create meaningful job opportunities for people with disabilities across a wide variety of industries,” said Sherman. “I look forward to partnering with the Melwood team – and people and companies in our community – to inspire action and generosity to achieve even more.”

Sherman is an active member of the National Association of Charitable Gift Planners and the National Capital Gift Planning Council, where she served as President-Elect, VP of Programs, board member, and Chair of Planned Giving Days 2016 and 2019. She is also a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) and the DC AFP chapter. Sherman holds a bachelor’s degree in English & communications from DeSales University, an M.A. in philanthropy & development from St. Mary’s University of MN, and a JD from Concord Law School. Sherman also earned the designation of Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy from The American College and a Certificate in Philanthropic Psychology Fundraising Copywriting.

“Heather’s longtime leadership in the nonprofit space and extensive history of results in large-scale fund development and mobilization make her the ideal person to spearhead future efforts to expand Melwood’s impact,” said Larysa Kautz, President & CEO of Melwood. “As Melwood enters its 60th year, we’re excited about what the next 60 years holds and how we can continue to realize a world that fully includes people with disabilities.”