CWC Member Spotlight – August 2021
Heather McDonald
Assistant Vice President, Development
UConn Foundation
Education/Alma Mater: Bachelor of Arts in Women Studies and Communications, State University of New York, New Paltz, Master’s in Education, University of Hartford, Certificate in Non-Profit Management, University of Connecticut, Doctorate in Educational Leadership, University of Connecticut (anticipated 2023).
Morning News Sources: NPR and NY Times
Hometown/Current town: Originally from Ossining, New York (Westchester, just north of NYC) and currently live in Storrs Mansfield, CT (home of the UConn Huskies) with my husband and 3 kiddos.
How long have you worked in your current position? I have been at UConn 21 years and at the UConn Foundation for 15,
Did you have a job that might surprise people? I worked at a Hallmark store and was the resident artist – I painted all the personalized gifts in the children’s section.
What do you value most about CWC? The relationships (I miss Gayle Russell and Anne Elvgren) and the fabulous events (I wish I could attend more and certainly will in the future!).
Best piece of advice you’ve ever gotten? Write down personal and professional goals/aspirations for where you want to be in 3 years and then tuck the note away. You’ll be surprised how much you accomplish once you’ve committed it to paper and to your subconscious.
Piece of advice for people entering your field / looking to excel in your field? The art of fundraising is connecting people with their passion. Listening, building relationships, and connecting people are fundamental to being successful.
Proud moment or accomplishment you’d like to share? Truthfully, it would be the day I became a mother and the moment each of my 3 children joined the world. I find it both thrilling and rewarding to watch my children learn and grow. Otherwise, it was being asked to serve on the Governor’s Council for Women and Girls.
First Job in high school: Children’s toy artist.
Dream Job (besides current): Run a non-profit dedicated to supporting and advocating for Women’s Leadership and/or Women and Girls.
Bucket List Item: Travel to Tahiti or the French Polynesian Islands.
Hobbies (and any new ones started during pandemic): Running with my puppy – Navi, exploring on a stand-up paddle board, reading, finishing my doctorate, gardening. walking the beach, traveling, and enjoying time with my family.
Favorite Restaurant (and items you recommend): Matunuck Oyster Bar, well, I suppose you must try the Oysters but I also love a salad with seared salmon or grilled shrimp. They have an amazing mini tuna tartare taco appetizer and lobster pizza. Delish!
Favorite Podcast: b cause – Erin & Nicole are funny and insightful. Erin is a UConn alumna and recently wrote, b authentic which is fabulous and on-point! Also, I love Brene Brown.
TV Character most like you: Maybe the Mom on Modern Family (Clare Dunphy) but I’ve been told since I was a child that I look like Mariel Hemingway.
Vacation Spot: The Outer Banks in North Carolina (Waves or Avon) – heading there this July!
Favorite Movie: With little kids, my movie viewing is limited. I will say Cruella was surprisingly good. Excellent music and impressive visuals. From the past, I would say Shawshank Redemption was a powerful and moving movie.
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Carmen Walker
Principal Owner, Event Producer, Pageant Director
Creative Images LLC, dba Creative Images Events
Education/Alma Mater: Indiana University-Purdue University at Indianapolis
Morning News Sources: I start my day with CNN and The WSJ 10-Point, then on to the local/national NBC, then I never miss the celebrity gossip with Wendy Williams, it’s my guilty pleasure.
Hometown/Current town: I’m originally from Indianapolis, IN. When I started my career, I moved to Chicago, IL. My current town is Washington Depot, CT since November 2014.
How long have you worked in your current position? Planning and producing events have always been a part of my life, as a career executive assistant, but since the pandemic, I have decided to go all in with my entrepreneurial efforts. I went from being a pageant mom to a pageant director for the past six years.
Did you have a job that might surprise people? I was a personal shopper at Bloomingdales.
What do you value most about CWC? The instant camaraderie, the ability to network with women you may or may not meet in your everyday life.
Best piece of advice you’ve ever gotten? If it’s to be, it’s up to ME!
Piece of advice for people entering your field / looking to excel in your field? Go in with the end in mind. Never stop learning. That skill may not be relevant in your current role, but it will be in your next one!
Proud moment or accomplishment you’d like to share? Now! I am finally an “empty nester.” The kids are on their own and flourishing. I am healthy, living my life and working my business. I am traveling and able to spend time with my beautiful grandchildren when I want to.
First Job in high school: I was a Library Page for Indianapolis Public Library. A Page assists the patrons with author/subject research, processing of library card applications, and checking out books, periodicals and media, as well as returning the books to the shelves. I absolutely loved being around all the books and magazines which fostered my love of print literature.
Dream Job (besides current): Personal Concierge for the UHNW (Ultra High Net Worth).
Bucket List Item: To go on the Transatlantic Crossing with the Cunard – August 2022.
Hobbies (and any new ones started during pandemic): Although I have many hobbies, I would like to share that I am a collector of luxury handbags and journals. During the pandemic, I took up calligraphy handwriting and paper crafting with a Cricut. I’m looking forward to a viable creation. Right now, everything is just practice…
Favorite Restaurant (and items you recommend): Too many to name, because I’m a foodie. However, I always seek out the “Surf and Turf” on the menu.
Favorite Podcast: The How of Business – Start, Run, Grow a Small Business
TV Character most like you: A cross between Bethenny Frankel and Karen Walker.
Vacation Spot: The current year’s vacation spot: Cabo San Lucas, Mexico – November 2021.
Favorite Movie: The movie that will make me stop dead in my tracks and tune in: “CASINO” with Sharon Stone.
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