Heather Dearman
CEO, 7/20 Memorial Foundation; Founding member, The Colorado Resilient Life Center (CORLC) and Survivors of Tragedy Outreach Program (STOP); Civil Service Specialist at the City of Aurora, Chairperson of Spirit of Aurora
2023
Heather’s cousin Ashley was paralyzed in the July 20, 2012 Aurora Theater Shooting. Ashley’s unborn child and 6-year-old daughter Veronica were also killed. Heather was inspired to join the foundation in 2015 after experiencing the love and compassion the community displayed at her youngest daughter’s lemonade stand fundraiser for the theater shooting memorial. For the following 3 years, she helped lead fundraising efforts for the permanent memorial, and in July of 2018, the permanent memorial “Ascentiate” was installed.
Heather and her 7/20 foundation board are now focused on providing support across the nation to communities who have experienced similar tragedy, through their paper crane peace project, and the foundation has grown into a resource for advice and guidance in the aftermath of other mass tragedies. She has continued to advocate for survivors’ long-term needs, alongside others in the STOP coalition. Heather has been a keynote speaker and panelist at several victim advocate conferences, and received the 2022 Outstanding Volunteer award from the National Philanthropy Association.
Heather also works closely with Aurora’s police officers and firefighters in her role with the city of Aurora’s civil service commission. Her connections with first responders, victims, survivors, and communities who have experienced tragedy propel her passion for proving that there is more love in the world than hate.
At the Summit
The Summit was more than empty words – it made clear that a solution-driven approach is the only way to fight hate. That’s why the working group activities, which are results driven are going to be critical in defeating violent extremism. The Summit brought together the best minds in government, private sector, academia, and civil society. Being surrounded by these experts sparked new ideas – some of which I’ve already implemented or have written about.
