Heather Clawson is the Chief Innovation and Program Officer. In this role she seeks to expand the capacity of the network to use data to drive effective practice, to continue to strengthen the evidence-base for Communities In Schools, and to help identify and demonstrate innovation and best practices from within the network. 

Prior to joining Communities In Schools, Heather worked as a research consultant for 15 years for ICF International managing and conducting research and program evaluations in the areas of education, juvenile justice, victim services, and child welfare.  Her expertise and passion center around integrated student services and supports for the most vulnerable populations. For five years, Heather served as the Principal Investigator for the National Evaluation of Communities In Schools. 

She has a Ph.D. in social psychology from the University of Nevada-Reno and a Bachelor's in psychology from James Madison University. Heather enjoys spending time with her husband and two sons, trips to the beach and shopping. She lives by the mantra, “work hard-play hard.”