Heather Cleary CEO

Heather Cleary is Peninsula Family Service’s Chief Executive Officer since January 1st, 2016. A San Mateo resident and a Bay Area native, she joined Peninsula Family Service in 2010 as Chief Financial Officer. She received her degree in Business Administration from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, and got her professional start as an accountant at Arthur Andersen where she earned her CPA license. She obtained her Master’s in Public Administration degree at San Francisco State University in May 2017.

Heather joined the nonprofit world 18-years ago, working at a private foundation and public charities. In 2015, Heather took on the added role of Associate Executive Director/CFO, overseeing our Early Learning Program. Upon her promotion to CEO, she focused on community partnerships to support our programs and advocacy for increased wages for early learning teachers. In addition, she continues to ensure strong financial and risk management and focuses on measuring and improving outcomes for all our program participants.

Heather uses her analytical and organizational skills as a member of the CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) for San Mateo. She also serves as a Board Member of the San Mateo Area Chamber of Commerce, is a Thrive Action Group steering committee member, a member of the local Childcare Partnership Council, and a San Mateo Rotary member.