Leah Heister
Senior Director, CCS Fundraising
Leah is a Senior Director with CCS, an
international fundraising consulting firm. She
has experience working with a variety of
clients including the Guggenheim Museum,
Wagner College, and Weill Cornell Medicine.
At CCS, Leah’s areas of expertise include
comprehensive development activities, as well
as board and volunteer development. Her
sector-based expertise is in healthcare
philanthropy, drawing on experience from
working for both St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and St. Mary’s Healthcare System for Children.
At Knox College, Leah earned a Bachelor of Science in political science and international business. She also
holds a Masters of Nonprofit Management with a specialization in fundraising management from
Columbia University. Born in Illinois and raised in Utah and Connecticut, Leah now resides in Hoboken, NJ.
She currently serves as an adjunct faculty member for Columbia University's Masters in Nonprofit
Management program. In addition, Leah volunteers on the Professional Advancement committee for the
Association of Fundraising Professionals – NYC Chapter and is a member of the chapter's Young
Professionals Committee. In her free time she enjoys spinning, traveling and rooting on her favorite sports
teams.