Heckman Named Chief Development Officer
December 15, 2006– The Rev. Donald E. “Bud” Heckman, an experienced director of interfaith programs and ordained United Methodist minister, has been named Hartford Seminary’s new Chief Development Officer, starting January 22.
President Heidi Hadsell announced the appointment. Heckman has been executive director of Religions for Peace-USA since May 2003.
“I am so pleased that Bud will join Hartford Seminary, bringing his experience in interfaith dialogue as well as his fundraising skills,” Hadsell said. “Bud understands our mission to prepare peacemakers and promote vital faith communities. He will fit seamlessly into our leadership team.”
At Religions for Peace, Heckman has facilitated collaboration of religious leaders, civic society actors, academics, and government officials, and developed a diversified funding portfolio.
He said he is excited to join Hartford Seminary because the Seminary “has a unique place in higher theological education in the United States in the way it has brought people of different faith traditions together. This is sorely needed in today’s world.” Hartford Seminary, Heckman said, “is pioneering in interfaith relations.”
He sees the Seminary as a place that can make a difference by “developing leaders for the world of today and tomorrow.”
Heckman decided to apply to become chief development officer because of “the possibility of being a part of something that meets a real need in today’s world.” “I believe that the field of religious cooperation is new, and there have not been places that adequately study it or fund it. Foundations have yet to support this emerging field.”
Heckman is looking forward to being a part of the educational academy that is exploring religious cooperation and also helping the world of philanthropy meet the need to fund this exploration.
Heckman has a Master of Divinity from the University of Chicago Divinity School and a Master of Arts in religious studies from Boston University. He has served as assistant pastor at the First United Methodist Church of Chicago and associate minister at Westwood United Methodist Church in Cincinnati. Heckman also has been program administrator at the Twentieth World Congress of Philosophy in Boston in 1998 and executive for volunteer placement at the General Board of Global Ministries of the United Methodist Church in New York City.
At Religions of Peace, Heckman directed campaigns on social issues where religious communities bring unique assets to problems. At the General Board of Global Ministries, Heckman administered the Global Justice Volunteers program, which educated young adults on social justice issues.
A member of Phi Beta Kappa, Heckman has served as board representative of the North American Interfaith Network, chair of the membership committee of the National Association of Ecumenical and Interreligious Staff, and treasurer of the Committee of Religious NGO’s.
At the Seminary, Heckman said he will work with Hadsell to “place Hartford Seminary in the forefront of interfaith dialogue.”
Heckman currently lives in New York with his wife Laura and their children Annah and Noah. Some of his leisurely pursuits include sports activities, among them running marathons, kayaking, skiing, hiking, soccer and camping. Heckman reads and describes himself as a computer techie with an interest in webcasts, podcasts, and blogs.
For further information or questions, please contact David Barrett, Director of Public and Institutional Affairs, at (860) 509-9519 or dbarrett@hartsem.edu. A photo of Bud Heckman is available by calling David Barrett; Heckman also is available for interviews.
