Heather Kestian

Heather Kestian serves as Senior Attorney and Chief Counsel at the American Bar Association, focusing on improving child welfare outcomes through collaboration with legal and judicial partners across multiple ACF regions. Previously, Heather held various leadership roles at the Indiana Department of Child Services, including Deputy Director of the Division of Strategic Solutions and Agency Transformation and Older Youth Initiatives Manager, overseeing significant initiatives to support older youth in foster care. Heather’s legal experience spans roles such as Administrative Law Judge and Local Office Attorney, along with early career positions including Law Clerk and Intern. Heather Kestian holds a Juris Doctor degree from The University of Toledo College of Law, a Master of Education from Arizona State University, and a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism from Indiana University Bloomington.