Hi there! My name is Jordan Heiden (she/her) and I am currently serving as VPIRG’s Democracy Vermont Campaign Director. Right now, I spend my days advocating for immigration rights in the Vermont State House, building and maintaining valuable coalitions, and organizing events to better protect our communities from federal harm and overreach. Over the past four years, I’ve hosted over 100 in-person community events all across the state. In that time, I’ve supported VPIRG’s Make Big Oil Pay campaign, managed the Keep Vermont Cool climate action campaign, directed the Democracy Summer campaign, and now direct the Democracy Vermont campaign.

I also work closely with the Vermont Assembly’s Climate Solutions Caucus, providing direct support to the leadership team (currently co-chaired by Senator Becca White and Representative Mollie Burke). I also recently served as the Vermont Chapter Chair of the Climate Reality Project.

Before my move to Vermont four years ago, I served as the Engagement Manager for the Gowanus Canal Conservancy for four years (2018 – 2022). I developed and oversaw all social media content for Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram; developed key promotional items for major events and programs; maintained and updated GCC’s website; developed digital newsletters and e-blasts; and assisted with any additional projects involving copy editing, graphic design, and event coordination. I also engaged and educated students in meaningful outdoor programming, with an emphasis on targeting students from high-need schools within the Gowanus Watershed and EJ area; developed critical educational resources, such as the Gowanus Field Guide, Gowanus Blue Schools Curriculum, and Citizen Science Report; supported a growing staff of program interns and volunteers; and worked to refine and further develop materials and program specifics on an ongoing basis.

After graduation (2017 – 2018), I served as the Philanthropy Coordinator for amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research, where I supported a team of seven with various projects, mailings, and events in the individual giving, institutional giving, major gift, prospect research, and database realms. In the absence of the Major Gifts Officer, I spearheaded the 2017 year-end appeal and raised nearly $170,000. I also planned and executed various major donor and special events including “Meet the Scientists”, “ACT UP Portraits: Activists & Avatars”, and “The Fabulous Fund Fair”, an event in which I sold more than $100,000 in carnival tokens.

I received a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Relations and a minor in Psychology from Hofstra University in May of 2017. I worked and interned in various industries, including Doctors Without Borders/Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF), VH1 and Logo, Slightly Mad Marketing Agency, Six Flags New England, and The Mill On The River Restaurant Group. I also served as a selected Social Media Volunteer for the 2016 Hofstra Presidential Debate and hosted a “Before The Flood” and “LA 92” Documentary Screening on behalf of National Geographic.

During my college years, I was an active member of the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA), Lambda Pi Eta Communications Honor Society, and Zeta Phi Eta, Hofstra’s pre-professional communications fraternity, where I served as Recruitment Chair and Vice President.

Please feel free to contact me at any time! My email is jordan.heiden4@gmail.com. You can also catch me on my personal Instagram, @jordanheidenvt.