Heather Arnet

Heather Arnet is the Chief Executive Officer of the Women and Girl's Foundation in Pittsburgh. The Mission of the WGF is "breaking down barriers so that every girl can rise, and every woman can soar." Ms. Arnet spearheads the efforts to develop the female leaders of tomorrow, while investing in better public policy today. 

Arnet received her B.A. degree from Carnegie Mellon University, and moved to New York where she worked in marketing, business development, and government affairs in the private and non-profit sectors. She used theater as a medium to promote female voices and shine a light on women's issues. She returned to Pittsburgh to serve as director of development of City Theater where she continued to write and direct plays. In 2004, Heather joined WGF as its first CEO.

Heather never met her great-grandmother, but for her entire life she's been inspired by stories of her struggles and success as a suffragette. "I was raised hearing that you have to work to protect and advance people' rights because other people fought and died for the rights you have." In her position at WGF, Heather continues the advocacy work of her great-grandmother and countless other women by pursuing equitable public policies and developing the female leaders of the future. 

Arnet has been named one of Pittsburgh's "Top 40 under 40," by Pittsburgh Magazine, as one of the "Top Twelve Noteworthy Business Leaders" by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and received the Diamond Award for "Outstanding Leadership" by the Pittsburgh Business Times. 

In addition to her work with the foundation,  Arnet serves as Co0Chair for the Council of Feminist Art at the Brooklyn Museum, Former Board Chair of the Ms. Foundation for Women and has served on several Advisory Boards including WQED Multimedia and the Forbes Funds.