Heather Brown

Regent Heather Brown was elected in November 2022 to serve on the Board of Regents as the representative for District 6.

A Las Vegas native and alumna of Western High School and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Regent Brown has dedicated her career to public service and to expanding opportunity through education. As a graduate of both CCSD and NSHE institutions, she brings a deep personal understanding of the system’s impact on students, families, and communities across Nevada. Her work on the Board is guided by a clear focus on affordability, access, excellence and on ensuring NSHE continues to evolve to meet the needs of today’s learners and tomorrow’s workforce.

Raised in a military household, Regent Brown developed a strong foundation rooted in service, accountability, and compassion. As a first-generation college graduate, she directly benefited from the Governor Guinn Millennium Scholarship, allowing her to complete her education debt-free. This experience continues to shape her commitment to student success, financial accessibility, and responsible stewardship of public resources.

Following her education at UNLV, Heather pursued a wide-ranging professional path that reflects both curiosity and a commitment to learning. She has lived in 11 states and three countries, traveled to 89 countries, and worked across public, private, and nonprofit sectors. These experiences have informed her perspective on innovation, workforce development, and how higher education systems can better align with regional and global economic realities.

Heather spent a decade working in Washington, D.C., followed by two years in Brussels, before returning home to Southern Nevada. There, she co-founded StartUp Vegas to support entrepreneurs and strengthen the local startup ecosystem. She later served as Senior Vice President of Entrepreneurial Development at the Las Vegas Global Economic Alliance, where she led initiatives focused on economic diversification, talent development, and building stronger connections between education and industry.

Across these roles, Regent Brown has consistently worked at the intersection of education, workforce, and economic development, experience she brings directly to her service on the Board of Regents. She approaches governance with a problem-solving mindset, a passion for continuous improvement, and a belief that Nevada’s higher education system is central to the state’s long-term prosperity.

Regent Brown’s work has been recognized through her inclusion in Las Vegas’ 40 Under 40 (2023), her participation in Leadership Las Vegas (Class of 2024), and as a recipient of the UNLV Patrick T. Smith Achievement in Service Award (2025).