Heather Avant
Heather Avant is a multifaceted leader, wife, and mother, whose work as an advocate, photographer, and entrepreneur leaves a lasting impact on the sickle cell and broader community. Thriving with sickle cell disease for over 40 years, Heather has transformed her lived experiences into a lifelong mission of advocacy, empowerment, artistic expression and building bridges.
Advocacy and Leadership
Heather served as the Chair of the NHLBI Cure Sickle Cell Initiative's Community Input Panel until the project completion and as the former Chair of UT Southwestern American Society of Hematology Community Advisory Board, where she shaped groundbreaking strategies to improve the lives of individuals living with sickle cell disease. In her previous role as Co-Chair of the Sickle Cell Community Consortium’s Sickle Cell Mental Health and Wellness Initiative, Heather partnered with community-based organizations, patients, caregivers, and medical professionals across the United States to prioritize mental health and wellness for sickle cell warriors.
Heather’s advocacy extends into mentorship, as she guides and empowers women living with sickle cell, providing tools for resilience and success. A seasoned professional with over 20 years of experience in customer service, marketing, administrative support, SOP development, and leadership, Heather applies her expertise in problem-solving, organizational design, and critical thinking to advance her mission.
In her efforts to reduce stigma and foster open conversations about mental health, Heather with her friend and colleague Elle Cole launched the "I Believe in Therapy" Campaign, an initiative encouraging individuals to embrace therapy as a valuable tool for personal growth and emotional well-being. She also delivers impactful presentations, including her recent work on mental health and suicide prevention, tailored to the sickle cell community.
Artistry and Entrepreneurship
As the owner of Artfully Avant, LLC, Heather channels her creative talents as a photographer to tell stories of resilience and beauty. Her art serves as a platform to celebrate life’s triumphs while reshaping societal perceptions of individuals thriving with chronic illnesses. Through her partnership with Cayenne Wellness Center, she has had the pleasure of photographing and curating Scar Stories. A pivotal tale of sickle cell patients and the nickname aptly given to them as warriors. Artfully Avant, LLC, reflects Heather’s dedication to fostering understanding and compassion through the power of visual photographic storytelling.
A Unified Mission
Heather Avant seamlessly integrates advocacy, artistry, and mentorship to create transformative initiatives that challenge biases, inspire action, and amplify voices within the sickle cell community and beyond. Whether advocating for systemic change, mentoring the next generation, or capturing life’s profound moments through her camera, Heather embodies resilience, vision, and compassion.
Through her diverse endeavors, Heather Avant continues to shape a world where individuals with chronic conditions are seen, heard, and empowered to thrive.
