Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors (RPA) is pleased to share an update on our leadership team that reflects continuity, strength, and our ongoing commitment to supporting philanthropy in service of a more just world. 

Following a thoughtful review, RPA’s Board of Directors has asked Nicole “Nic” Campbell and Walter Sweet to continue permanently as Co-Chief Executive Officers and Co-Presidents. Since stepping into the role on an interim basis earlier this year, Nic and Walter have led RPA with steadiness and clarity, providing stability during a period of transition while positioning the organization for long-term impact.

With more than two decades of legal, governance, and operational experience, Nic has advised leaders and boards worldwide on grantmaking, organizational design, and governance. She is also the founder of the Build Up Companies, a federated group dedicated to strengthening the capacity of systems-change grantmakers to transform outcomes for vulnerable and historically marginalized communities worldwide.

During his tenure at RPA, Walter has significantly contributed to the organization’s growth and success. He has advised foundations and philanthropists on initiatives in health, education, entrepreneurship, and community development, including guiding complex, high-profile philanthropic projects that require sensitivity and strategic insight.

At the same time, RPA has strengthened its executive leadership team with two senior appointments drawn from within the organization. 

Heidi Hernandez Gatty has been named Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, bringing more than two decades of experience in fiscal sponsorship and nonprofit infrastructure. In her prior leadership roles at RPA, she was instrumental in strengthening operational systems, supporting the growth of sponsored projects and funds, and building resilient infrastructure to serve funders and partners across geographies. As COO, Heidi will oversee the systems and operations that enable effective service delivery and long-term organizational sustainability. 

Heather Grady has been named Executive Vice President and Chief Strategy and Sustainability Officer. Heather brings deep strategic leadership and global perspective shaped by decades of work across philanthropy, development, and humanitarian fields. At RPA, she has led collaborative funds, advanced systems approaches to philanthropy through initiatives, and built bridges among funders across regions and issue areas. In her new role, Heather will steward RPA’s enterprise-wide strategy and long-term sustainability, ensuring alignment across programs and continued impact in a complex global context. 

Together, this leadership team reflects RPA’s commitment to mission-driven leadership, institutional knowledge, and the capacity needed to support philanthropy in an increasingly interconnected and dynamic world. These appointments underscore our focus on stability, thoughtful growth, and long-term partnership with the philanthropic community. 

We look forward to continuing our work with funders, partners, and communities, and to sharing more about RPA’s strategic vision in the months ahead. 

For more information about the Build Up Companies’ next chapter, click here.