The Minnesota Alliance for Volunteer Advancement (MAVA) is delighted to announce the appointment of Niila Hebert as its Executive Director.
Ms. Hebert brings an extensive resume as an established leader in community engagement, fundraising, program development, and volunteerism. She most recently served as the Chief Engagement Officer at the African American Leadership Forum. As a long-time MAVA member, board member, and volunteer, she is passionate about the impact volunteers and the professionals who work with them can have on their communities.
“In a post-pandemic world, volunteer engagement is more important than ever and is quickly evolving. In Minnesota and nationwide, MAVA is the volunteer professionals’ ‘go-to’ for training and support,” Ms. Hebert said. “I am thrilled to take the helm and bring the community together to drive MAVA into the future.”
“The board was unanimous in our enthusiastic selection of Niila Hebert as MAVA’s next executive director,” said Jen Thorson, MAVA’s board chair. “Niila’s depth of experience, commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, justice, and anti-racism, as well as her deep understanding of volunteerism, make her the best possible leader to help MAVA live out its mission and values. Her passion for volunteerism, energy, and vision are infectious, and we know that MAVA will grow and thrive under her leadership.”
Highly skilled in creating partnerships, Ms. Hebert catalyzes transformative change through collaborative engagement. She has served as a volunteer relations manager, program director, and vice president of network alignment in her time with Girl Scouts of Minnesota and Wisconsin River Valleys and the African American Leadership Forum. She is also a DEI trainer and consultant, bringing her core values of equity, inclusion, and justice to her advocacy for Black and LGBTQ+ communities. In addition, Ms. Hebert is a Certified Volunteer Administrator (CVA) and a Certified Professional Project Manager (CCPM)