Heather Cloward, MBA-HR

Director, People Services

Heather Cloward is the Director of People Services at STA. In her role, Heather leads the development of strategic planning for all people service and culture-related initiatives, including performance and talent management, employee relations, engagement, retention and workforce planning. Heather collaborates with executive leadership to develop and execute innovative and collaborative strategies that align with STA’s culture and support organizational goals.

In her eight years as a human resources leader in the healthcare space, Heather has led initiatives that significantly decreased employee turnover by improving morale and culture, dramatically impacted the bottom line and successfully improved internal controls and trainings. Her operational efforts have been recognized by industry organizations, earning Modern Healthcare’s 2019 Top 100 Places to Work award with an employee satisfaction rate of 94%. Along with employee retention and morale, Heather has excelled in developing strategic plans for increased efficiency, peer-to-peer mentoring, training and coaching.

Heather holds a Master of Business Administration in Human Resources Management, a Bachelor of Business Administration in Organizational Leadership and a Bachelor of Business Administration in Human Resources Management from Brandman University. She also holds an associate degree in liberal arts from Victor Valley Community College and is a Certified Paralegal (CP).  

Additionally, Heather is pursuing a certification from the Senior Professional Human Resource (SPHR) and holds an American College of Medical Practice Executives (ACMPE) certificate from the Medical Group Management Association. She is an SDA - Special District Association Fellow and a former member of the ASHHRA Advocacy and Legislative committee (2018-2020).