Heather Rigby
Executive Director

Areas of Leadership & Responsibility

-Executive leadership and organizational strategy
-Operations, finance, and infrastructure development
-Institutional relationships
-Strategic planning and program oversight
-Governance, policy, and risk management
-Technology, systems, and data integration
-International coordination and cross-cultural engagement
-Donor relations and fundraising strategy

Heather serves as Executive Director of North Star International, providing leadership for the organization’s strategy, operations, finances, development, and external relationships. She works closely with the Board of Directors to ensure North Star remains gospel-centered, financially sound, and positioned for long-term sustainability.

With more than two decades of experience in nonprofit leadership, international project coordination, and systems development, Heather brings an experienced strategic approach to building organizations that endure. Her professional background includes work with global institutions in Geneva, including the World Health Organization and The Global Fund, where she supported program and operations management, complex budgets, donor reporting, and cross-functional teams operating across multiple countries and cultures. She holds a Master’s degree in Business Management and Leadership.

At North Star, Heather leads organizational strategy, oversees financial planning and donor stewardship, and manages relationships with donors and partners. She directs fundraising initiatives and provides executive oversight for all programs and events, including the annual conference, firesides, retreats, and international efforts. Her role includes setting organizational standards, ensuring doctrinal alignment, and translating mission into clear systems, policies, and measurable outcomes.

Heather is deeply committed to strengthening North Star’s capacity to serve individuals and families navigating sexual orientation and gender identity while desiring to live in harmony with the teachings of Jesus Christ and the doctrine of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Her focus is on building a resilient organization whose mission and values remain strong for generations to come.

Heather and her husband have been married for 29 years and have four children. A former missionary in Japan, she values faith, family, and discipleship. Outside of her professional work, she enjoys reading medical research, history, international cinema, yoga, and swimming.

• Strategic leadership and governance
• Operations and systems implementation
• Finance and budget oversight
• Fundraising and development
• Team development
• Program and event integration