Nicole Heckman

Trailblazer
DISC Type : DI

Vice President, Financial Wellbeing Programs at AARP Foundation

Washington, District of Columbia, United States

Overview

Nicole Heckman is a strategic leader at AARP Foundation, where she serves as Vice President of Financial Wellbeing Programs. With a background that includes an MBA, a Harvard Kennedy School credential, and 13 years leading innovation at FedEx, she excels in creating impactful, human-centered solutions. Colleagues describe her as a creative, strategic, and gifted design thinking executive.

Nicole is passionate about driving social change and empowering communities. This commitment is evident in her prior work as a co-founder of an impact-driven innovation firm, where she developed strategies to support immigrant entrepreneurs, grow the artisan economy, and enhance civic assets like public library usage.

Before her focus on social impact, she co-founded and scaled her own successful strategy, research, and design consulting firm, Little Bird Innovation.

Personality Overview

Friendly But Fast

Informal

Values Relationships

They are not against taking risks and can make tough decisions when required.
  They are more likely to accept new and exciting technologies. A combination of speed and relationship gets the best response from them.

Topics They Care About

Financial Wellbeing
Leads programs at AARP Foundation that help low-income older adults secure employment, access benefits, and strengthen their financial resilience.
Human-Centered Design
A core part of her professional approach, she has a stated passion for using deep human insights to develop strategies and programs.
Social Impact
Her career is focused on social good, from her fellowship tackling affordable housing to her current role fighting poverty among older adults.

Media Appearances

Nicole Heckman – Hear Our Stories (Gift Planning) – AARP Foundation. Featured in AARP Foundation – Gift Planning

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Seniors' benefits are lifesaving. Nicole makes sure they happen.. Featured in AARP Foundation (Gift Planning)

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Work History

11-2023
Vice President, Financial Wellbeing Programs at AARP Foundation
7-2022 - 11-2023
Vice President, Benefits Access Programs at AARP Foundation
9-2019 - 7-2022
Director, Benefits Access and Food Security at AARP Foundation
6-2019 - 10-2019
Product Management Fellow at Blue Ridge Labs @ Robin Hood Foundation
2015 - 2016
Adjunct Professor at Fogelman College of Business & Economics, University of Memphis

Education

2020 - 3-2022
Public Leadership Credential from Harvard Kennedy School
MBA from Crummer Graduate School of Business at Rollins College

More Information

Social Presence :

Prographics :

Exp : 24 Location : Washington, District of Columbia, United States Job Level : Senior Designation : Vice President, Financial Wellbeing Programs at AARP Foundation
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Insights For Selling To Nicole

During A Call Or A Meeting

DO's

  • Showcase existing customers and use case-studies to grab their attention
  • Help them visualize the impact of their decision
  • Keep your pitch focused on the impact but nurture the relationship too

DONT's

  • Don’t hesitate from asking them how they truly feel about your product
  • Don’t hesitate from asking questions or pushing them, but take a friendly approach
  • Don't make any commitments that you might not be able to fulfill

When Cold Calling

When Writing An Email

While Negotiating & Closing

    The secret to closing fast with Nicole is

  • Relationship and product conviction matter equally, followed by a sense of achievement.
  • Will you ever get a clear answer from Nicole

  • If they are not convinced, they will say no though in a friendly way.

Insights For Deal Planning

    How fast (or slow) will Nicole move?

  • They can make decisions quickly if they develop trust in you and conviction in the product.
  • Can Nicole take some risk or not?

  • If necessary, they will be ready to take risks.

You And Nicole

Personality Compatibility


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