Welcome back to our Rosie In Action series! The women of Rosie are out in our community, making a difference in their organizations, serving on boards, living into their passions, and positively impacting the world around them. We want to share their stories with you. Heather Zoromski is an inspiring leader with expansive experience in the nonprofit world and serves her community as a member of the Nixa School Board. Read below to get to know Heather, her career, community involvement, and advice for fellow Rosies.
Who is Heather?
Hi! I am Heather Zoromski. I am a life-long resident of southwest Missouri and have 22 years of experience in non-profit administration, grant-writing and grant-making. Before coming to the Darr Family Foundation, I served as Grants Administrator of Skaggs Foundation in Branson, Missouri and as Executive Director of Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals of CoxHealth in Springfield, Missouri. I hold a Bachelor of Science degree in Child and Family Development, and a Master’s Degree in Public Health, both from Missouri State University, as well as a certification in grant writing from the American Grant Writer’s Association. Along with my work at the foundation, I teach adjunct for Evangel University in the College of Business and the College of Online Learning and serve on the boards of the Kyle Bruton Foundation, Elevate Branson and Nixa Public Schools. I am married to Nathan who is a Financial Advisor with Edward Jones. We just celebrated our 15th anniversary in June and we have three boys. Carter is 14 years old, Camden is 11 years old and then we decided to start ALL over and we have Cohen who is 4 years old. Our house is rowdy for sure!
What was your journey to working in a nonprofit? What drew you to that work?
In college, I wanted to work with kids in the hospital and went to school to be a Child Life Specialist. While in college, I also worked part-time for nonprofits, including the Developmental Center of the Ozarks and Ronald McDonald House. When it came time to secure an internship, I landed at Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals at CoxHealth. I can’t identify a ‘thing’ that drew me to the work other than I always thought I would work for a non-profit, and my mom had worked at CoxHealth for 40 years, so it seemed like the right place to land. Now, 22 years later, I feel very deeply that whatever I do for work, also needs to build community and leave the world a better place. I call it my double bottom line.
What lessons have you learned, or wisdom have you gained since serving on the Nixa School Board?
I have learned so many lessons serving on the Nixa School Board! There are SO MANY moving parts at all times and complexities to public school funding in particular. If you don’t have a front-row seat to it, it’s hard to truly understand the challenges associated with teacher recruitment, retention, pay raises, facility improvements, state-level legislative decisions, and balancing community voice with what is truly best for our 6,900 students and our staff. Also, you have to have thick skin as people you have never met will question your intentions and decisions, sometimes in a very public manner. I work hard to never have an agenda, always take all information presented to me at the time into consideration, and make the best decision I can. In the tough times, I hold hard to the truth that I am doing what I feel is right.
How has your service in the community impacted your day to day work life?
I am very fortunate that my service to my community compliments my day-to-day work life, as most of the work I do with the Darr Family Foundation is also in the education space. I love having the opportunity to gain a state-wide perspective of issues that the DFF is actively funding on a local level. It brings another layer of understanding to my work, and I am grateful for that opportunity.
Why do you believe it’s important for women to get involved in leadership roles in their communities?
Women wear SO many hats in life and oftentimes have a unique perspective as moms, daughters, aunts, sisters, friends, wives, volunteers, and professionals. Realizing that all of the skills I’ve gathered along the way translate in a real way to bettering my community through board service and volunteer work is truly what fills my cup on a daily basis. I encourage all of you to get involved in your hometown in some way or another.
A piece of advice or inspiration for fellow Rosies thinking about joining a board, committee, or running to be an elected official?
We make time for what’s important and there is never a perfect time to jump in. When I joined the Nixa School Board, it was the middle of the COVID pandemic, and my kids were 10, 7 and 9 months old. It seemed like THE WORST time to take on that level of commitment. However, I felt like the door had opened for me and I needed to seize the opportunity that was presented regardless of timing.
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Thank you, Heather, for allowing us to feature your story and experience as a valuable, multi-talented community leader!
Do you have a story you’d like to share? A woman you’d like to celebrate? A recent accomplishment, board appointment, or career milestone you or someone you know has experienced? Let us know by submitting an Empowered Women Empower Women celebration!
