I began my career after attending SUNY Oswego and fulfilling a longtime dream of moving to New York City. Working at Hachette Filipacchi Media U.S. and Condé Nast immersed me in the world of publishing. After returning to my hometown of Buffalo, New York, I found my professional home at The Buffalo News—and met my husband, who was serving in the United States Air Force.

As life took us overseas, my background in marketing, photography, sales, and writing continued to expand through living, working, and traveling abroad. While based in Kaiserslautern, Germany, I authored and managed Stars and Stripes European special publications, an experience that deepened my love of meaningful, connective writing.

That path eventually led me to pursue a Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology. Today, I am a Licensed Professional Counselor in Virginia and a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Florida, where I offer teletherapy through my private practice. Alongside my clinical work, creating stories and books remains one of my greatest passion projects.

I grew up reading and writing purely for the joy of it. Some of my earliest memories are of my mom reading Opik the Arctic Owl, City Mouse, Country Mouse, and so many other beloved stories to me on repeat. As I got a little older, I fell into the worlds of authors like Judy Blume and V.C. Andrews, and series such as Sweet Valley High Twins and The Babysitters Club. Books taught me that I was never alone when immersed in a good story, and they offered an escape to places I couldn’t yet travel to on my own. Now, I’m sharing that same excitement with my children as we turn the pages together. This time around, the experience feels even richer. Seeing stories through their eyes has revealed a whole new layer of meaning and has opened the door to important conversations, connection, and curiosity.

My background in media has been invaluable in developing stories, collaborating with illustrators, and navigating the publishing process. I bring the same love of storytelling to every project, weaving creativity, emotion, and imagination into each page. I hope The Circle of Hugs offers readers moments of insight, warmth, and connection. Children’s books hold a unique power at any age—offering bite-sized stories, usually around 32 pages, that spark joy, reflection, and growth. They create opportunities for connection, shared experiences, and sometimes even gentle healing. Through my work, I aim to inspire, uplift, and share messages of resilience, empathy, and the enduring power of human connection.

My grandma once proclaimed, "Heather, I believe you have a serious case of wanderlust!" Luckily, I found my match in my husband, who shares the same adventurous spirit. Together, we’ve traveled to over 25 countries, exploring new places, sharing stories, and forming countless connections along the way.

I hope this book sparks your imagination and helps you celebrate the special bonds you share with family and friends.

My life as a mom, counselor, and writer continues to inspire and drive my work. Combining my love of family, travel, and storytelling is a dream come true—and I’m so glad you’re along for the journey.