Among this year’s participants in the Leadership Fellows program – a joint effort of The Community Foundation and the Boulder Chamber – Olga Heifets brings a unique perspective.
“I pursued the Leadership Fellows program because I value the variety of life, in general, and the diversity of human experiences,” says Olga, whose academic background includes a bachelor’s degree in cultural anthropology from the University of California, Santa Cruz, and master’s in communication, culture and technology from Georgetown University. “What’s compelling and meaningful to me is to come together with others who actively seek out an experience to learn from one another, and to share a spectrum of viewpoints.”
Especially, Olga appreciates the relationship-building aspect of the Leadership Fellows program. “Ultimately, it’s human connections that empower us to manifest the version of the world we wish to see,” she says. “Recognizing shared values among the other Leadership Fellows is what’s most impressive to me, so far, as is the potential to amplify those values through our collective actions.”
As education and communications director of Social Venture Partners (SVP) Boulder County, Olga helps nonprofit organizations increase efficiency and ensure sustainability. ”In my role, I connect with a lot of Boulder County nonprofit leaders and board members,” she says. “But those interactions only go so far. The leadership program allows me to formally and informally deepen the conversations I have in my official capacity.”
A self-described collector of human stories, Olga is passionate about the breadth and depth of the human experience. “The Leadership Fellows program is a professional networking opportunity, for sure. But what’s most fascinating to me is working together toward an end-goal with a purpose,” she explains.
“At the end of the day, all human beings want the same thing – to be loved, to achieve good things for our families and our communities, to ensure that the places where we live reflect our values. What’s consistent about us is what’s most powerful about us. And what’s different about us makes life interesting – our differences don’t have to be obstacles or reasons for separation.”
Olga, a Russian-Jewish immigrant, explains how the immigrant experience as a child still informs her journey as an adult. “As a physicist, my dad needed to go where the jobs were. So we moved every few years, following opportunities for scientific funding. As a result, I was exposed to a lot of different communities and cultures. I learned that, no matter where you go, we’re all the same. We may have different religions, politics, accents and affiliations, but we’re all the same on fundamentally human levels.
“For me, participating in the Leadership Fellows program is a way to live my own values, cross-pollinate ideas from other sectors, and deepen connections to help facilitate a better Boulder County for all of us.”
