Heather B. Lancaster
Executive Vice President, Development
Chief Operating Officer, Naval Institute Foundation
Executive Staff
Naval Institute Foundation Board of Trustees
For over sixteen years, Heather has been a dedicated and passionate development professional concentrating on major gift fundraising and development strategy. Heather joined the U.S. Naval Institute in July 2012 as the Director of Development and became the organization’s Executive Vice President in 2018. Heather leads a team of four in cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding donors. Heather lead the planning and execution of the Institute’s first-ever comprehensive campaign, which concluded in 2021.
Since 2012, the Institute’s annual fundraising results have more than quintupled . . . not counting the capital project/cornerstone of the Institute’s comprehensive campaign.
Prior to joining the Naval Institute, Heather raised funds on behalf of the Naval Academy Foundation. While there, Heather was a rising gift officer as well a class giving program coordinator. She also created the young alumni giving program and a “first gift” program for graduating midshipmen.
Heather previously worked for FINRA planning the educational content of conferences for the securities industry.
Heather proudly sits on the Board of an Annapolis based family foundation, the Jess Carson Foundation, whose mission is to help terminally ill children and their families. She is also honored to serve as Chair of the St. Margaret’s Day School Board of Trustees.
Heather resides in Annapolis with her husband, two daughters, and Labrador Retriever, Preston.