Heidi Epstein

 

Trustee
Founder, Hope for Hannah

Heidi’s involvement with the world of non-profits, philanthropy and community service work began in Tokyo, where she worked as an English language editor for a large Japanese charity’s marketing materials. With business experience acquired as the head of the Institutional Sales force at a New York investment firm, and her natural enthusiasm, she brings determination, leadership and organizational skills to any endeavor she undertakes.  She and her husband Jonathan, who worked in Tokyo as an investment banker, brought their family back to the United States shortly after their second daughter, Hannah, was born prematurely.

Settling in California, Heidi was soon involved within her new community, becoming a member of the board of the Palisades Junior Women’s Group, raising money for local charities, engaging with various community activities and fundraising for her older daughter’s school.  For little Hannah, Heidi organized a team of therapists to address developmental problems thought to have resulted from her early birth. She researched Hannah’s challenges, put together an intensive intervention program, coordinated schedules and team meetings with her army of therapists.

But shortly after Hannah’s third birthday, the cause of her difficulties was reassessed: she was diagnosed with Rett Syndrome. Shocked and grief-stricken, Heidi threw herself into searching for information on the disorder. She found the RSRT website the very day it launched online, and immediately wanted to be involved. Within weeks she and Jonathan met with Monica Coenraads, RSRT’s co-founder and Executive Director, to see how they could help.

The following month, Heidi began a letter-writing campaign to friends and colleagues, quickly raising $100,000 for research. In 2009, she spearheaded the first Hope for Hannah fundraiser, now a successful annual event that has raised over $400K in the first two years. With business connections and friends spanning across the US and abroad the Epstein’s have co-chaired RSRT’s events in New York, Boston and London. They have been instrumental in helping to raise over $1 million dollars for research to date.  Heidi is now entering her third year of fundraising.

In 2010, Heidi and her family were one of the three families featured in a documentary on Rett Syndrome, produced and directed by filmmaker Jason Rem. Jason’s inspiration for the documentary was born the night he attended the first Hope for Hannah and learned about the devastating effects of Rett.

Heidi has been instrumental in engaging large firms to provide pro bono services, including McCann Erickson’s generous support and creation of a PSA for RSRT.  She introduced professional Advisory Council Members  James & Ann Gianopulos, Stephen Levit, Linda Taylor and Christopher Tuzzo to RSRT.

Heidi graduated from UCLA with a degree in English Literature. She lives in Los Angeles with Jonathan, a Managing Director at  GreenOak Real Estate Advisors LP, and their two daughters. The Epsteins are passionate about the goals of the Trust, and committed to supporting RSRT’s research agenda.