U.S. Figure Skating, the national governing body (NGB) of the sport of figure skating in the United States, and the U.S. Figure Skating Foundation jointly announced the appointment of Heather Palmer as the NGB's new Chief Development Officer (CDO), a key executive leadership role responsible for advancing the organization's fundraising and philanthropic strategies. This new role is a collaboration between U.S. Figure Skating and the U.S. Figure Skating Foundation, which was created in 2000 as a separate section 501(c)(3) organization to support the purposes and programs of US Figure Skating.
As CDO, Palmer will oversee all facets of development, including major gifts, planned giving, donor relationships and stewardship, capital campaigns and annual funds. The effort will involve a close, collaborative relationship on development for U.S. Figure Skating and the U.S. Figure Skating Foundation. This initiative is envisioned to support skaters at every level — from Learn to Skate USA programs to Olympic pathways — and to provide assistance to skaters for academic pursuits, post career transition and personal development. These collective efforts are critical to sustaining and advancing fundraising goals as U.S. Figure Skating receives no government funding.
"I am honored to join U.S. Figure Skating at such an exciting moment for the organization."
Heather Palmer
Chief Development Officer
"Philanthropy has the power to provide significant opportunities for athletes at every level, and I look forward to partnering with our donors, volunteers and leadership to advance a strong and inspiring future for our athletes and the sport."
"With a longstanding history of success within our Foundation, adding this dedicated philanthropic leadership is the natural next step in its evolution."
Misha Petkevich
U.S. Figure Skating Foundation President
"Heather's expertise will help us further strengthen the Foundation's financial resources, and broaden our impact on skaters' athletic aspirations, academic pursuits and personal growth."
Palmer brings more than two decades of progressive experience in athletic development, philanthropy, and strategic fundraising across Division I athletic programs, world-class academic institutions and a national governing body. Most recently, she served as Senior Major Gift Officer at the United States Golf Association (USGA), where she helped shape the philanthropic strategy for the USGA Foundation and led major gift efforts with a national portfolio of major donors. Prior to the USGA, Palmer held senior development positions at the University of Massachusetts, College of the Holy Cross and Harvard University, where she consistently achieved transformational fundraising results.
U.S. Figure Skating Board of Directors President Sam Auxier applauded Palmer's hire: "Her strategic vision and deep experience across sport and nonprofit fundraising will elevate our ability to grow our fundraising efforts and meaningfully invest in athletes, programs and our sport."
U.S. Figure Skating Chief Executive Officer Matt Farrell affirmed: "Heather's proven success in building high-impact development programs and cultivating meaningful donor relationships makes her an exceptional addition to our team. Her leadership comes at a pivotal moment, as the strengthened collaboration between U.S. Figure Skating and the U.S. Figure Skating Foundation builds on an already powerful partnership for the future."
A graduate of the University of Massachusetts Amherst, Palmer holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and a Master of Liberal Arts in Management and Operations from Harvard University. She has also completed multiple executive leadership programs, receiving the WISE Executive Leadership Institute Certificate, the Experience Managers Certificate and is a graduate of the Women's Unlimited LEAD program.
Currently based in Boston, Palmer will relocate to Colorado Springs, Colorado, after the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026.
The executive search was conducted by Elevate Talent and led by Jeff Yocom, who is a Partner in Sports & Entertainment for the firm based in the Portland, Oregon, office.
