Heather Shaw

Heather Shaw is an executive leader with over 20 years of private and public sector experience as a lawyer, executive strategist, international corporate communications leader, economic development advisor, and tourism and cultural professional. A multi-skilled executive, Heather is a tactical thinker with global expertise, in business and community development, public and media relations, crisis and issues management, corporate social responsibility, tourism, arts, hospitality, special events and philanthropy.

Heather is currently Assistant Director of Economic Development for the City of Miami Beach developing programs, policies and procedures that attract and retain businesses and entrepreneurs in the greatest coastal city in the United State. Prior to this role, Heather served as Interim Director and Assistant Director of Tourism & Culture and Economic Development where she was responsible for assisting in the advancement of tourism, hospitality and culture reputation management, the Miami Beach cultural and arts portfolio, Special Events and Film and Production operations, the management oversight of Miami Beach Convention Center, and hospitality and destination marketing initiatives.

Prior to her move to South Florida, Heather lived in Dubai for 8 years and working as the Director of the Corporate Communications for Expo 2020 Dubai, the first World Expo in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia region; as Senior Director of Corporate Communications for Hilton Worldwide Middle East & Africa, and as Head of Communications for Barclays Plc. Collectively, she focused on developing the internal and external communications foundations, strategies, policies, procedures and resources for the management of issues management and risk mitigation, executive communications, digital communications, and general content creation related to corporate platforms to build domestic and international awareness and understanding and engagements.

Heather has served as Director of Corporate Responsibility for Time Warner Inc., as the Director of Government/Community Relations for the New York Botanical Garden, advising one of the largest arts/culture NGOs in the United States; as Counsel and Chief of Staff for the New York City Deputy Mayor for Community Development and Business Services; and as General Counsel for the New York City Department of Business Services.

A former adjunct professor with Zayed University College of Communications and Media Science in the United Arab Emirates, Heather has a Bachelor of Arts from Michigan State University James Madison College and a Juris Doctorate from Howard University School of Law. She has also held numerous positions as a board member on several prominent arts, education and civic NGOs including the Brooklyn Public Library, New York City Center, Lincoln Square Business Improvement District, and the Professional Performing Arts School.