Barbara Ann Heegan began her career on a path of serving others as a Family Support Specialist working for the September 11 Recovery Program with the American Red Cross in Mineola, New York, close to her hometown of Elmont, New York. Immediately following the 9/11 attacks, the American Red Cross committed exclusively to the long-term service needs of people directly affected by the tragic event. Barbara Ann provided individualized service plans and service coordination for 122 families with children in Nassau County, including access to resources for mental health, case management, financial assistance and career planning services. Barbara Ann created the first 9/11 Family Support Group in Mineola, New York, an initiative that became a template for replication in New York City.
Barbara Ann’s career took another leap forward in 2007 when she was the first person hired as Marketing Director for The Plains at Parish Homestead, a new active-adult community for those 55 years of age and older. The community offers independent, assisted living, and memory care apartments in Oneonta, NY. Through effective marketing efforts, Barbara Ann achieved 100% occupancy in the assisted living apartments within the first 6 months after opening. She was instrumental in helping the facility achieve “The People Choice Award” from the Daily Star for 2011 Best Retirement Community. That same year, the Alzheimer’s Association honored The Plains at Parish Homestead with the Community Advocate Award.
In 2012 Barbara Ann’s next career leap was being named the President & CEO of the Otsego County Chamber of Commerce. She was hired to develop and maintain a collaborative working relationship with key businesses and regional Chambers to foster a nurturing business environment for members. In one year, Barbara Ann achieved a 50% increase in membership. She also developed new partnerships, grew revenue and generated a 40% increase in programs that were value-added member benefits. As a result, the next year, the Chamber was honored by The Business Council of New York State as its “2013 Chamber of the Year.”
Further honors followed Barbara Ann’s passionate work on behalf of the Chamber. The Chamber was honored in 2016 as the Non-Profit of the Year by the Greater Binghamton SCORE Chapter. This recognition resulted from the Chamber’s program working with Otsego County high schools to link students to job-shadowing opportunities with area businesses.
As a promoter of quality early education, Barbara Ann collaborates with area employers and early education providers to foster the fundamental skills that employers demand for 21st century jobs. Those skills include creativity, communication, team work, problem solving and critical thinking, all of which form in the first five years of life.
Barbara Ann is a member of the leadership team for Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) Coalition for New York State. The ESSA Coalition is dedicated to advancing equity and promoting college and career readiness for all students in New York State.
Barbara Ann is also a member of Equity Leaders Action Network (ELAN)/National Black Child Development Institute (NBCDI) Team, which focuses on raising the awareness of business leaders on the impact of expulsion and suspension in New York State. In recognition of this work Barbara Ann was the recipient of the 2017 Excellence in Leadership Award from The Early Care and Learning Council of New York State.
In August 2018, Barbara Ann was selected by the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives to participate in a national professional development program designed to boost innovative community health initiatives. As a Chamber Executive she is one of 10 selected across the country representing New York with her active role in promotion of Mental Health and Prevention of Substance Abuse services and prevention of Chronic Disease.
Barbara Ann Heegan shares her life with partner Dr. Robert B. Pondolfino Jr. and is a mother to 3 children: daughter, Christina, and sons, Sean and Scott. As an animal lover, the family is completed by dog, Lucy. Barbara Ann is civic minded and ready to serve the community through volunteering at soup kitchens, community clean up days, and maintaining a strong focus on supporting healthy communities that help put better health within everyone’s reach.
