Heidi and her family immigrated to Canada in 1983. Heidi was educated in Germany in Business Administration (equivalent to a BA in Canada), and completed the Master Trade education in Fur, Leather & Textile Art. She acquired a Legal Secretary Diploma after arriving in Canada.

Heidi and her husband Reiner worked and enjoyed the Northern lifestyle for six years in the communities of Aklavik and Tuktoyaktuk in the Northwest Territories. They developed the standards and implemented a Canadawide recognized apprenticeship program at Aurora College-Inuvik Campus, in the High Arctic.

Heidi has worked for the last 21 years in the not-for-profit sector. She enhanced and started social enterprises, developed business plans, and followed her passion of writing proposals. In her spare time she enjoys skiing, fishing, hunting, gardening, canning, and baking.

Why I love my job: “SOS Children’s Villages had been part of my life growing up in Germany and Austria. As a child, I am thankful to have experienced the joy of giving when we shared our Christmas gifts with the children at SOS Kinderdorf. Now the circle is closing and I have the opportunity to be part of a great team enriching the lives of vulnerable youth and children. I deeply believe in the philosophy of: Every child deserves a safe and loving home.”