About Heidi Massey at CommunityConnective
Hi there! Perhaps we haven’t met. I’m Heidi Massey. CommunityConnective is my company. I describe myself as a millennial born a bit early. I am an extremely passionate connector. (Thus, CommunityConnective.) Sometimes, being a connector means providing meaningful introductions between people who I am convinced need to know each other. And sometimes, it means creating connections for people to new ideas. Whether it is technology or strategic planning or racial equity, or maybe even a combination of all three, I love facilitating those connections!
For 25 years, I worked at nonprofit organizations, building community engagement in educational, social, and issues-based programs. In 2009, when social media began to explode, I started to explore new ways of weaving connections and building community. Over time, I built a vibrant business providing digital marketing services to nonprofits and small businesses. However, I have always been involved in social justice activism, whether it was by participating in actions with my children, educating my Google Ads clients, protesting in the streets, or partnering with others doing anti-racism work. In the past 5 years, after being strongly encouraged by my mentors, I shifted my professional focus away from digital marketing to work full time on strategic initiatives, particularly anti-racism work. Although I always enjoyed working with clients on digital marketing, this new focus is my calling and my purpose. I’m pretty fearless when it comes to talking to white people about how we need to do better. And I’ve learned the value of embracing mistakes as learning opportunities instead of reasons to feel shame. I’m also eternally grateful for the friends and partners who continue to pour their knowledge into me with love and patience, as we guide organizations on their journey to be anti-racist.
In my spare time, I love to hop on my bike and ride Chicago’s lake path, visit my local farmers market, or host a potluck with friends. I have a major sweet tooth, especially…well…really…all of it. And although I love and adore my three kids, I am truly thrilled to be an empty nester.
OK, your turn! Tell me more about you and how my partners and I might be able to help. Feel free to reach out to me if you think that we have something to discuss. If you are part of a business or nonprofit that is ready to embark on an anti-racism journey, or if it’s time to work on a strategic plan, reach out to me via my contact page, and let’s get the conversation going.
I look forward to hearing from you!
Heidi Massey