Heather Nicole Fowler

Professional Journey: From Acting to HR Leadership

​Growing up as the first child and daughter in my family, I was encouraged to maintain my independence and pursue

my dreams. After becoming the first college graduate in my family, I moved to Austin to continue

my dream of becoming a professional actor while supporting myself through various side gigs including jewelry making, merchandising, and working as an HR file clerk.

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What began as a supplementary HR role gradually evolved into my chosen career path. The transition from acting to

human resources felt natural, and I discovered a passion for HR that paralleled my love for performing.

Working at a leading tech company with exceptional mentors, I later moved to Chicago to attend Loyola University's

Graduate School of Business to strengthen my foundation in global HR. After earning my Master of Science in Industrial Relations, I partnered with organizations of all sizes, developing teams through strategic talent acquisition and building comprehensive HR programs across diverse industries including:

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• Healthcare

• Retail

• Technology (hardware, software, SaaS)

• Insurance

• Biotechnology

• Telecommunications

• Knowledge management

• Website design

• Environmental science

• Customer experience

• Logistics & distribution

• Digital marketing

• HCM

• Entertainment productions

 

Practicing servant leadership and employee advocacy, I've mastered the delicate balance between employee well-being

and business objectives. My portfolio of unique people experiences and initiatives has consistently led to higher

employee engagement, productivity, and profitability.

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Personal Growth & Transformation

Through my life journey, I developed a deep commitment to holistic well-being. Over time, while enjoying my professional growth and meaningful relationships, I prioritized my mental and physical health— an essential as a single mother of two children. Despite these efforts, I eventually faced burnout.

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The global pandemic became my catalyst for transformation. Like many others, I craved something different for my next chapter. I deepened my recovery work, focused intensely on well-being, eliminated alcohol from my life, lost 95 pounds,

and experienced a profound professional shift.

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The Birth of Mary Jane's People

During a reflective drive home through Greenland, Colorado, after attending a Phish concert at Dick's in Denver, I had a transformative idea that would change the direction of my family's life. I wondered if there was space to combine my

expertise in HR with my passion for wellness and advocacy. After extensive research and attending industry conferences,

I discovered a huge need to build a healthier workforce using progressive human resources and recruiting approaches.

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This realization led to the creation of Mary Jane's People, opening doors to numerous opportunities. I developed a

framework using practical HR and recruiting methods based on Self-Determination Theory to integrate well-being into business foundations. I intentionally work with women and people of the global majority as business owners and leaders, supporting organizations throughout the US and Canada.

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We make work better by prioritizing people, building teams people want to join, and connecting with communities. Our community initiative, Mary Jane's Closet, provides free professional clothing and career resources to women and

formerly incarcerated individuals transitioning to better opportunities. We also collaborate with HR leaders to promote

equity across industries through consistent hiring and advancement of individuals impacted by systemic barriers.

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Based in Durango, Colorado.

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Providing services for the US, Canada, Latin America, UK, Europe, and AIPAC.