Heidi Rickels is a creative and passionate director with over 25 years of experience in marketing, communications and international development. She holds a B.S. in Business Administration from the University of Kansas and an M.A. in International Development from the Josef Korbel School of International Studies at the University of Denver.

Co-founding Freshwater Project International with Amy Hart, Rickels aimed to support Freshwater Malawi and her dear friend, Charles Banda. She previously served as Director of Communications for Project C.U.R.E., an international NGO, and has held various corporate and non-profit marketing roles throughout her career.

Rickels has traveled extensively for humanitarian and mission work in Ukraine, India, Guatemala, Hungary, Romania, Poland, Belize and Malawi. Her focus on international and community service extends to her role as Past President and Board Member of the Rotary E-Club of WASH. She resides in Whitefish, MT, with her family.