Assistant Director of Annual Giving

heather.best@supportum.org | 406-243-5646

Heather joined the UM Foundation as Development Coordinator in 2019, and following a brief absence, returned as the Assistant Director of Development for the College of Business in February 2022. In summer 2022 she began her role as Senior Development Coordinator, and in December 2023 she began her current role as Assistant Director of Annual Giving. She is a UM graduate with degrees in communication studies and psychology from the College of Humanities and Sciences and a certificate in nonprofit management.

After graduating, Heather spent time fundraising in the Washington D.C. area but quickly returned to Missoula, which she has called home for more than two decades. She spent several years working in administration for a local utility company, followed by time as a small business owner and an administrative and organizational expert. She is thrilled to be serving the Foundation in her dream job, helping to bring support to the next generation of UM students.

Heather and her husband Will, who met while attending UM, have two kids, Elinore and Wyatt, and live in Florence. Heather enjoys reading, crocheting, camping and traveling around the country.