Press Release
Media Contact:
Melissa Abernathy, Communications Manager
mabernathy@maymont.org
804-358-7166, ext. 315
January 23, 2025
Maymont Names Heather Phibbs as Vice President, Advancement and Engagement
Richmond, Virginia – Maymont has named Heather Phibbs as Vice President of Advancement and Engagement, as of January 13. Phibbs will serve as a key member of the senior leadership team, spearheading efforts to expand Maymont’s presence and strengthen its connections throughout the community and leverage resources in support of Maymont’s mission.
Working closely with the President & CEO, the Board of Directors, community partners and other key stakeholders, Phibbs will serve as the strategic and creative visionary for Maymont’s brand, and direct its fundraising and marketing priorities. She will lead the teams responsible for executing innovative marketing, fundraising and guest engagement initiatives.
Phibbs has a distinguished track record in leading marketing and fundraising for national and regional nonprofits, including Habitat for Humanity, the March of Dimes, and the Alzheimer’s Association. Most recently, she was Director of Development for Neurosciences at VCU Health in Richmond. Early in her career, she honed her marketing talents as creative director and copywriter with some of the world’s top advertising agencies, working in the London and Frankfurt offices of Saatchi & Saatchi and Ogilvy & Mather, as well as the New York office of McCann-Erickson. She has worked on teams that won Addy awards for work on behalf of clients like Procter & Gamble, SAP and the American Heart Association.
“Heather is a creative and effective leader who brings a diverse range of skills and experience, as well as great enthusiasm, to serve Maymont’s mission and strengthen its connections across the community,” said Parke Richeson, Maymont President and CEO. “I’m confident she will bring positive energy and strategic thinking to expand Maymont’s role as a cherished place where people can connect with nature, history, wildlife and each other.”
Phibbs earned a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, with concentrations in psychology and political science. Throughout her career, she has prioritized serving the community through volunteering and leadership roles with nonprofit organizations, including those dedicated to animal welfare, healthcare and access to clean water. A native of Richmond, Heather returned to the city in 2019, and enjoys exploring all that Richmond and Central Virginia have to offer, including the local restaurant scene, live music and hiking with her two rescue dogs.
About Maymont
Maymont, located in the heart of Richmond, Virginia, is a well-preserved 100 acres where all are welcome to connect with history, nature, wildlife and each other. Built as a Gilded Age estate overlooking the James River, Maymont opened to the public in 1926 and today offers free admission to explore its miles of walking paths through rolling hills, beautiful landscaped gardens, a petting farm and the Virginia Wildlife Trail with habitats for rescued native animals. In addition, Maymont offers guided and self-guided tours of the 1893 Maymont Mansion*, historic estate buildings and gardens, plus the immersive “Run of the River” experience highlighting the remarkable ecology of the James River in The Robins Nature Center. Since 1975, the nonprofit Maymont Foundation has been entrusted to care for this unique place, galvanizing community support around its mission to delight, educate and inspire all who visit. Maymont annually welcomes over 800,000 guests and is consistently ranked among the region’s top attractions by travelers and locals alike.
*The Mansion is currently closed for a roof restoration project, and portions of the Virginia Wildlife Trail are undergoing an enhancement and expansion project. Learn more here.
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Note to editors: Images are available upon request to mabernathy@maymont.org.