Dr. Heather Bomsta, Ph.D. and Vice President of Policy & Programs (she/her)
Heather is the Vice President of Policy and Programs for Michigan’s Children. In this role, she works to develop organizational and policy strategy, mentor associates, manage programs and special projects, design/manage our social media outreach/education, and measure impact. She is a data and research geek, who is passionate about evidence-informed policy and centering equity in analysis.
Her background includes experience in consulting and research. Focusing on strategy and evaluation with nonprofit and public sector clients, she recently led the team responsible for conducting Utah’s 2024 Early Childhood Needs Assessment and Strategic Plan as part of that state’s Preschool Development Grant. She has also worked for McKinsey & Co., as an independent consultant, and directed University of Minnesota student MBA teams conducting strategy and marketing projects for Fortune 500 companies. Heather’s research centers on mental health and wellbeing for mothers and infants in early childhood, youth mental health (especially in marginalized youth populations, including: runaway/homeless, those in foster/kinship care, neurodivergent, those living with physical/mental differences, and LGBTQIA+). Her published research includes work on human service/nonprofit organizational resilience, how abuse impacts breastfeeding and early motherhood, and the impact of flexible funding grants as a cost-effective housing stabilization strategy for survivors of domestic abuse and their kids. Heather earned a doctorate in community sustainability from Michigan State University, a master’s in psychology, and an MBA.
Heather is a third generation Spartan, raising future Spartans (probably). She survived her adolescence largely due to involvement in the Crossroads Theatre Guild and believes community theatre and the Arts are critical developmentally for kids and youth. She is still active in community theatre, loves music and singing, paddleboarding with her dog and spending time with her kids and friends “up North.”
Heather also represents Michigan’s Children and contributes work and leadership to:
- Protect MI Care Coalition
- Michigan Higher Education Attainment Roundtable
- Children Thrive Action Network, Michigan Working Group
- Michigan Special Education Finance Reform Blueprint Project
- Michigan Network for Youth and Families
- Michigan Kinship Care Coalition
- Michigan KidsCount Committee & Data Subcommittee
- Michigan Early Childhood Community of Practice
- Michigan Immigration Coalition
- Reach Out and Read Advisory Committee