Regional Director, Deborah Heater, J.D.

Deborah Heater is the Regional Director for the Dayton/Cincinnati Region. Ms. Heater began her focus on public service as a Municipal Investigator with the Office of Municipal Investigations (OMI), a division of the City Manager’s Office for the City of Cincinnati.  She reviewed allegations of dysfunctional performance and misconduct.  Her responsibilities included investigating allegations of police discharge of firearms; police-involved fatalities, injuries while in police custody, and use of excessive force.  She also investigated allegations of unethical conduct involving employees, contractors, and government-funded nonprofits.  She continued investigative responsibilities across her leadership roles regarding employment discrimination, sexual harassment, other forms of misconduct.

Ms. Heater has held positions as Vice President for Human Resources for Columbus State Community College; Director of Administrative Services for the University of Cincinnati, Blue Ash; Chief Officer of Human Resources for Cincinnati Public Schools, and Vice President for Citizens Committee on Youth.  She has been an independent consultant for community colleges across the United States.  She has also provided performance consulting for K12, municipalities, county government, and nonprofits. 

Ms. Heater has taught workshops on diversity, equity, and inclusion.  She advises for a Master’s Degree in Executive Leadership and Organizational Development for Northern Kentucky University’s College of Business.  She also serves as a board member for the Home Ownership Center of Cincinnati, a nonprofit that strengthens communities through comprehensive economic homeownership strategies.

Ms. Heater earned her undergraduate degree in English Literature from the University of Cincinnati and her Juris Doctor from Salmon P. Chase College of Law and is licensed in Ohio.