About Our Speaker
Jamie Heckerman was appointed CEO / President of Special Olympics Arizona in October 2018. Jamie started her career with the organization in February 2010, holding several different roles with a focus on program management, program development and risk management. She provided awareness and growth in the west valley of Phoenix taking numbers served from 3,500 athletes in 2011 to 7,500 athletes in 2017. She supervised the implementation of Unified Sports (inclusion program) and the Healthy LEAP program into those same west valley programs. Jamie’s vision for Special Olympics Arizona is to reach more athletes through participation in quality programs and to bring an overall awareness of inclusion for all people.
Mrs. Heckerman graduated from Arizona State University in 2009 with a degree in Parks and Recreation Management with emphasis in Therapeutic Recreation. Throughout her time as CEO she has worked with community partners and state agencies to construct a $2.4 million building and warehouse for Special Olympics Arizona, led and represented the southwest group of Special Olympics CEOs and transitioned program delivery to virtual during the pandemic. She was most recently named to the Phoenix Business Journal’s 40 under 40 for 2021 and a Titan 100 recipient in 2023.
Jamie’s husband of 15 years, Ryan, works in recruiting with the Peoria Police Department through the City of Peoria and her son Rowen Stevens is 13 years old and in the 7th grade! Through her passion for inclusion and the community, her intent is to bring awareness to Special Olympics Arizona and to lead the mission of providing year-round sports training, athletic competition and support programs for children and adults with intellectual disabilities throughout the State of Arizona.
