Meet Heather MacKenzie!

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Meet (and friend!) Heather MacKenzie, a Blackbaud NetCommunity, Online Express, Raiser's Edge, Raiser's Edge NXT, BBIS, Target Analytics, Blackbaud Merchant Services, and everydayhero user, with St. Helena Hospital Foundation.


Meet Heather MacKenzie! This week's Community Corner spotlight shines on Blackbaud NetCommunity, Online Express, Raiser's Edge, Raiser's Edge NXT, BBIS, Target Analytics, Blackbaud Merchant Services, and everydayhero user, with St. Helena Hospital Foundation. Heather MacKenzie's Community Profile>
About Heather: Tell us about your family (fur babies count!) "I live alone, but not really. My 2 cats rule the house. Bonzi, the older one, keeps the younger one, Thistle, in line with occasional swipes to the back of the head. I used to live in the center of my extended family here in California, but have recently moved to a little off-center. My Dad and I are pretty close, and I now pass his house on the way to work, so sometimes just stop in for dinner on the way home and a good visit." Where do you live? "Santa Rosa, California." What do you like to do for fun? "I spend my time away from work singing in the Santa Rosa Symphonic Choir, Civil War renenacting with the National Civil War Association, and supporting the Napa Valley Wine Thieves and Sacramento Capitals men's rugby clubs. The choir keeps me totally centered because music is life. I love the friends I've made through the reenacting and rugby worlds; they are like my extended-family-by-choice. Supporting the rugby has turned into an addiction because I've seen it do so much good for so many people. I also support, from afar, the Sacramento Amazons women's rugby team. In addition to all that, I love to read both fiction and non-fiction, and I have a travel goal of making it to all 50 US states by the time I turn 50."
	What’s a life achievement you are particularly proud of? "The Howe Math Award that my university awarded me and one other math student, my friend, is one of my proudest achievements. Our professor nominated us for this award. Another one is travel related - I've been to both hemispheres and 6 of the 7 continents." What’s one memory that always makes you smile? "There are many! I'll pick this one. My cousin has twin sons who are 3 now, and last Christmas, when we were together, one of the boys chose me to be his puzzle working buddy. We worked two jigsaw puzzles together and had a grand time. I've always loved puzzles and I adore that both of them are choosing puzzles to be in their lives." What is one interesting fact about yourself most people don't know? "My travels: 6 continents, 2 hemispheres, 28 countries, 45 US states." What are three things on your bucket list? "Seeing the remaining 5 US states, buying a home, living for at least a year in another country."
Tell us about your organization "St. Helena Hospital Foundation supports the oldest Adventist run healthcare facility in the world, St. Helena Hospital. I love the history of that! St. Helena Hospital is know in particular for it's cardiac services programs. We throw two large events each year, a gala and a tennis tournament, we have a thriving employee campaign, and our community and surrounding areas are very supportive. The Foundation has been in existance since 2004, but fundraising has existed within Adventist Health since early 1987. The Napa Valley is known worldwide for it's fabulous wines, and we intereact with the wine industry here at the hospital as well. Some of our board members are vintners, we are in line each year to receive a large grant from a vintners association, and our patients are quite often in the wine industry." What’s a typical day like for you? "I start the day checking in with my email, then I hop into my database, Raiser's Edge, to start running queries, reports, and exporting data for reports and lists. We are prepping for a website change coming up quite soon, so my days right now are being consumed with some prep work for that as well. I am the database administrator as well as being the data monkey for my office."
	What’s the best part of your job? "The best part of my job is that what I do helps people get the healthcare that they need. Part of our fundraising dollars go towards patients who need healthcare, but can't affod it on their own. I help them fill that gap." What advice would you give someone starting out in the non-profit field? "Never be afraid to ask questions. Never be afraid to ask for help. Keep learning!" What do you love about the Blackbaud Community? "I love that we get to have some fun in here along with helping each other out. Our community leaders are awesome!"

Finally, answer one of these two fun questions: "I'd be a caprese sandwich, on a baguette. That's one easy! I discovered this wonderful flavor combo while on my first trip to France."