Heather N. Bland, C-PM, AWS CSA-Associate, has built a career defined by adaptability, technical knowledge and a deep commitment to service. From early experiences in her family’s automotive business to leadership roles in project management and marketing, she has consistently demonstrated the ability to take on complex challenges and deliver meaningful results across multiple industries. Her professional journey reveals both a dedication to process improvement and a passion for building systems that support people as much as they advance business objectives.
As certified project manager and project coordinator at Esko, Ms. Bland organizes all aspects of incoming orders and ensures that projects are properly aligned with technical teams. She assigns engineers to deployments, verifies architectural accuracy and oversees information technology requirements to maintain smooth integration between front-end and back-end systems. She manages timelines, monitors compliance with security standards and fosters communication across departments. Known among colleagues as “The Keeper of Documents & Deadlines,” she is valued for her thoroughness, accuracy and steady leadership.
Ms. Bland’s educational foundation helped shape this versatile career. She completed a bridge program in marketing and communications at Franklin University in Columbus, Ohio, and also pursued coursework at Sinclair Community College in Dayton, Ohio. These studies equipped her with the academic grounding to complement her hands-on experience, allowing her to blend strategic thinking with technical execution.
Ms. Bland’s leadership at Esko has also extended to marketing and technical deployment, where she coordinated strategies across global regions and oversaw complex rollouts. She has provided freelance consulting through HB Consulting, working with diverse clients to enhance project management practices and streamline operations. Her career also includes significant experience in the manufacturing sector, managing large-scale accounts and playing a key role in establishing operational frameworks for international shipping and inventory systems. Earlier in her career, she gained valuable skills in sales and marketing while managing retail operations and leading teams in customer-focused environments. Her long-standing involvement with Fast Forward Automotive, her family’s high-performance drag racing shop, reflects both her technical aptitude and her ability to work under high-pressure conditions in competitive settings.
Beyond her professional responsibilities, Ms. Bland has made service a cornerstone of her life. She has volunteered extensively with disaster relief, youth programs and community organizations. Her contributions include coordinating emergency response efforts after natural disasters, serving as a kinship caregiver, mentoring children in hospital-based support groups and coaching youth sports. She has also supported organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, Girl Scouts and the National Speech & Debate Association.
Ms. Bland many affiliations highlight her commitment to professional and civic engagement. She is active with the Women’s Inclusion Network, several automotive associations and business organizations. She participates in technical and operations teams at Esko and contributes to equal employment initiatives. Her dedication has earned her numerous honors, including recognition for emergency relief leadership, compliance advocacy and volunteer excellence.
Fluent in English, Mandarin Chinese and Spanish, Ms. Bland brings a global perspective to her work and an ability to collaborate across cultures. She credits her success to the supportive community that raised her and to her belief that achievement depends on asking the right questions of the right people. For her, progress is measured not only in professional milestones but also in the impact she has on others.
Outside of work, Ms. Bland enjoys camping, attending festivals, coaching youth activities and spending time with her daughter. She values the balance of working in an environment that allows her to thrive professionally while being present at home. Looking ahead, she plans to continue pursuing advanced certifications, expand her leadership into director-level roles and encourage her family’s growth and success.