Heather Held

Heather Held is the Director of Family Support at the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation (PBTF), where she leads a team dedicated to expanding outreach and providing compassionate guidance to families navigating the complexities of a pediatric brain tumor diagnosis. With over eight years of experience in family support and community engagement, Heather’s journey with PBTF began in 2015 as a volunteer community fundraiser and family advocate, eventually growing her role to include oversight of the organization’s efforts across the Southeast.

Making the decision to center her work around care, empathy, and family support, Heather transitioned to the nonprofit sector after witnessing a profound lack of empathy in a previous career. This shift led her to focus on supporting individuals in need, first at smaller nonprofits and then at PBTF, where her work continues to be shaped by those she serves. While she doesn’t have a personal history with pediatric brain tumors, each family she meets makes the cause deeply personal, inspiring her to always listen actively and provide unwavering support. Heather is also motivated daily by the advancements in science, policy advocacy, and personal empowerment that PBTF fosters for researchers and patient families alike.

Heather resides in the California Bay Area with her husband and their lively menagerie of pets, including three dogs, two cats, and a fish. Having lived in five states, she and her husband share a passion for international travel and seize every opportunity to explore new destinations. In her free time, Heather enjoys hiking, jewelry making, reading, and visiting her daughter and future son-in-law in Virginia.