Nicole Heckman

Nicole Heckman has a diverse work experience that spans over several years. Nicole currently holds the position of Vice President, Benefits Access Programs at AARP Foundation, where they are responsible for helping low-income older adults access benefit programs. Prior to this role, they served as the Director of Benefits Access and Food Security, where they launched the Benefits Access program to address the unique access barriers faced by older adults.

Before joining AARP Foundation, Nicole worked as a Product Management Fellow at Blue Ridge Labs @ Robin Hood Foundation in 2019. Nicole also has experience as a Founding Partner at Little Bird Innovation, where they co-founded and scaled a research, strategy, and design firm. At Little Bird Innovation, Nicole led various engagements in areas such as healthcare, transportation equity, entrepreneurship, and education.

Nicole also has experience in academia, having worked as a Course Facilitator at the Memphis Innovation Bootcamp at the University of Memphis from 2014 to 2017. Nicole was also an Adjunct Professor at the Fogelman College of Business & Economics at the University of Memphis in 2015 and 2016.

Earlier in their career, Nicole founded and served as the CEO of Nourishe, LLC, a lifestyle brand in the specialty foods market. Nicole also worked at FedEx Services, Inc. as an Innovation Manager, Marketing Advisor, and Sr. Product Manager from 2001 to 2014. Nicole'sresponsibilities at FedEx included leading innovation teams and implementing customer-centric products and strategies.

Prior to that, Nicole worked as a Data Integrity Manager at Tempus Resorts Int'l from 1998 to 2000.

Overall, Nicole Heckman's work experience showcases their expertise in areas such as benefits access, product management, innovation, and academia.

Nicole Heckman obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Rollins College. Nicole then pursued an MBA with a focus on Marketing from the Crummer Graduate School of Business at Rollins College. Currently, Nicole is enrolled at the Harvard Kennedy School, where they are working towards a Public Leadership Credential. In March 2022, they obtained the Public Leadership Credential certification from the Harvard Kennedy School.