Heather M. Beaven
Heather M. Beaven, CEO, Secretary
Florida Endowment Foundation
While serving in the Navy during the Operation Desert Storm era Heather M. Beaven earned a Navy Achievement Medal for her work as a Cryptologist assigned to America’s War on Drugs. After leaving the Navy, she graduated from the University of Missouri (BA) and the University of North Florida (MPA). In 1997, at the age of twenty eight, she was appointed by Governor Bill Graves, Kansas, to oversee the Workforce Investment Act, Welfare to Work, School to Careers, Migrant Seasonal Farm Workers, Rapid Response, Labor Certification, Older Worker and Youth programs, North American Free Trade Act. Native American, Hispanic and African American programs, Unemployment Services and Veteran Employment and Training Services.
During her tenure with Kansas, she testified before Congress as an expert in Veterans employment issues, traveled to the Republic of Macedonia to consult with the government on workforce development and sat on numerous national policy boards that were tasked with shaping workforce development nationwide. Today, she is the President & CEO of The Florida Endowment Foundation for Florida’s Graduates, Inc. The Foundation is a Stay-In-School 501c3 serving over 5000 students statewide through the Jobs for Florida’s Graduates, Girls Get I.T., VOiCE (Victory Over Instability by Choosing Education), and SUPERB (Students United with Parents and Educators to Resolve Bullying).