Heather DeGaetano serves as Senior Director of Philanthropy and Grants at United Way of Greater Chattanooga, bringing more than two decades of nonprofit experience to the role. She is also the founder and owner of Right Hand Strategies, where she offers strategic counsel to nonprofits across the Southeast, specializing in philanthropy, compliance, governance, visioning, planning, and organizational strategy. A passionate champion for the transformative impact of nonprofits, Heather loves to help organizational leaders catalyze enduring and meaningful change in their communities.

A licensed attorney, Heather’s diverse background includes roles such as National Director of Development for the Chi Omega Foundation based in Memphis, Managing Director of Reflection Riding, Managing Director of Causeway, Associate Director of United Way’s Center for Nonprofits, and Director of Development for the Tennessee Aquarium. During the 2020 pandemic, she played a pivotal role as the CARES Fund Administrator for Southeast TN, leading a team of nine to disburse more than $24 million to nearly 90 community-serving organizations, entirely remotely. She is the primary author of “A Guide to Starting a Nonprofit in Tennessee.”

Heather is deeply involved in the Chattanooga community, having served in leadership board roles for organizations like the Tennessee River Gorge Trust, A Step Ahead Chattanooga, and the Colby Foundation. A proud “Double Dawg,” she holds a Bachelor of Arts with Phi Beta Kappa distinction and a cum laude Juris Doctor from the University of Georgia.

Beyond her professional work, Heather is an active volunteer, an avid hiker, a lifelong booklover, and an enthusiastic traveler. She resides in Chattanooga with family and their unusually excited dog.