Dunes Learning Center, the nonprofit education partner of Indiana Dunes National Park, announced that Heather Hahn Sullivan will take on an expanded role as Chief Operating Officer effective immediately.
Heather first came to Dunes Learning Center in 1999 as a student with Valparaiso High School and later joined the education team as a Naturalist Intern in 2004. After working in various fundraising and administrative roles at organizations across the country, she returned to her roots at Dunes Learning Center as Development and Marketing Director in 2018. She will continue to oversee the organization’s fundraising efforts while also working closely with the Board to further define Dunes Learning Center’s strategic direction.
“Heather’s expanded role will help Dunes Learning Center continue to pursue new opportunities that grow our capacity and impact,” Executive Director Geof Benson said. “She has been instrumental during a period of unprecedented change, and her leadership style has motivated and inspired the team here to perform at their absolute best in some very difficult times.”
An experienced nonprofit fundraiser who currently serves as president of the Northwest Indiana Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Heather has been raising the bar for donor support at Dunes Learning Center over the last four years.
“While more than 60% of environmental learning centers across the country were forced to close their doors during the pandemic, we had the great opportunity to develop and deliver adaptable virtual programs thanks to our supporters,” Geof added. “Throughout the pandemic, Heather kept the lines of communication open, and donors responded.”
“Our mission to inspire lasting curiosity and stewardship with nature has been the guiding star during a period of significant change,” Heather said. “I am excited to help lead the teams at Dunes Learning Center to better support our communities and create meaningful new growth opportunities for the organization.”
About Heather Hahn Sullivan
Heather Hahn Sullivan is the Chief Operating Officer at Dunes Learning Center. In this role, she will oversee the development and implementation of a new strategic plan with a focus on growing new opportunities and partnerships, creating an engaging and rewarding workplace, and building equitable and diverse teams. Prior to becoming Chief Operating Officer, she was Development and Marketing Director.
Before Dunes Learning Center, Heather gained more than 16 years of nonprofit fundraising experience at environmental organizations including Chicago Academy of Sciences/Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University in Philadelphia, and Cincinnati Nature Center. She earned an MBA from Drexel University and BA from Hope College.
Along with her service as president of the local chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Heather is also a volunteer at Field Station Cooperative Preschool. Previously, she served as the president of the board at Pennypack Farm & Education Center, a nonprofit organic farm.
About Dunes Learning Center
The education partner of Indiana Dunes National Park, Dunes Learning Center delivers environmental education programs with a focus on the natural and cultural history of the Indiana dunes region. Since 1998, more than 160,000 students from the diverse communities and backgrounds along the south shore of Lake Michigan have learned about nature, in nature with Dunes Learning Center’s school-year, summer camp, internship, and community education programs. Former students and campers become counselors in training, cabin leader interns, naturalist educator interns/fellows, and employees. Others are inspired to become teachers, scientists, park rangers, and community leaders who are advocates for the local environment, Lake Michigan, and their very own National Park.
