Heather S.
About Heather S.
Heather S. serves as the Head of Audit & Enterprise Risk Management at Blend, where she has worked since 2021. With extensive experience in audit and risk management across various organizations, she has held leadership roles at Levi Strauss, CrossCountry Consulting, and KPMG, among others.
Current Role at Blend
Heather S. serves as the Head of Audit & Enterprise Risk Management at Blend, a position she has held since 2021. In this role, she oversees audit functions and risk management strategies, ensuring compliance and governance across the organization. Her leadership is characterized by the management of a global, remote team, which highlights her capability to lead in diverse environments.
Previous Experience in Audit and Risk Management
Prior to her current role, Heather S. held several significant positions in audit and risk management. She was the Chief Audit Executive at Levi Strauss from 2009 to 2011. She also served as a Partner at CrossCountry Consulting from 2019 to 2021 and as Regional Managing Partner at BDO from 2013 to 2016 in the San Francisco Bay Area. Additionally, she worked as a Partner at KPMG for a decade, from 1999 to 2009.
Educational Background
Heather S. studied at Missouri State University, where she earned both a Bachelor of Science (BS) and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Accountancy and Business Administration. Her educational background provides a strong foundation for her career in audit and risk management.
Professional Affiliations and Leadership Roles
Heather S. is a member of Chief since 2022, contributing to the network of women leaders. She has also been involved with the Junior League of San Francisco, Inc. for 18 years, serving in various leadership roles including Vice President, Treasurer, and Audit Committee chair. Additionally, she was a member of the Board of Directors for The Institute of Internal Auditors Inc. in the San Francisco Chapter from 2006 to 2008.
Certifications and Specializations
Heather S. holds certifications in Financial Services audit from the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) and Finance Transformation from AICPA/KPMG. She is also certified in UiPath RPA, indicating her expertise in robotic process automation. Her extensive experience includes managing projects in 20 countries, demonstrating her international exposure and ability to optimize and automate technology in alignment with business needs.