Welcome, Sue Heilman

In March, the Institute welcomed Sue Heilman as its new interim executive director. Ms. Heilman takes over for Art Buckland, who successfully completed his interim assignment with the organization. Both leaders came to the Institute through Interim Executive Solutions, which is based in Needham, Massachusetts.

Sue Heilman is an experienced nonprofit leader having spent over 25 years growing and leading mission-based organizations. In recent years, she has served as the interim executive director of The Lenny Zakim Fund, Alternatives for Community and Environment, Massachusetts Appleseed Center for Law and Justice, MassEquality, and the Hull Lifesaving Museum. Previously, Ms. Heilman served as the executive director of Horizons for Homeless Children for 18 years, and Thompson Island Education Center for 5 years.

Sue Heilman’s consulting practice has included strategic planning, board development and fundraising planning for a number of nonprofit organizations, including the Victim Rights Law Center, Steps To Success, School on Wheels, New Hampshire Black Heritage Trail, Massachusetts Advocates for Children, Family Nurturing Center, Piers Park Sailing Center, and Kurn Hattin Homes for Children. She also currently facilitates Empower Success Corps’ Nonprofit Executive RoundTable, a monthly leadership development gathering of nonprofit leaders. Ms. Heilman earned a B.A. in government from Wheaton College in Massachusetts and resides in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

The Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, civic education organization in Boston envisioned by the late Senator Edward M. Kennedy. Through a range of exhibits, interactive educational offerings, and topical programs, the Institute engages students and visitors in a conversation about the essential role each person plays in our democracy and in our society.