GVSU alumna (BBA '98, MBA '20) and GVSU Alumni Association Board Member Heather Zak was hired as the new Chief Financial Officer (CFO) at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, starting in January 2025. Heather will oversee all financial operations at Meijer Gardens, bringing over two decades of extensive financial leadership experience across healthcare, nonprofit and research organizations. She joins most recently from Hope Network where she served as CFO, with prior roles in senior finance leadership positions at Corewell Health and Van Andel Institute. Heather has also held leadership positions at Plante Moran and with Goodwill Industries of Greater Grand Rapids. Beyond her professional work, she has served on numerous boards and actively volunteers her time. She is a member of the Michigan Nonprofit Association and the Grand Valley State University Alumni boards. Additionally, she mentors aspiring leaders through the Peter C. Cook Leadership Academy and the Seidman College of Business mentorship programs and supports initiatives at numerous other nonprofits in West Michigan. Her professional accomplishments and community service reflect her dedication to empowering individuals and organizations to thrive while fulfilling their missions.