Theresa A. Hearn

Executive Director

Theresa A. Hearn has been executive director of the Derby Community Foundation since 2004.  Her career has included 15 years in public relations for various non-profits and 3 years in children’s ministry.  Theresa has a BA in Journalism from Wichita State University and a MA in Mass Communication from Drake University.  Since joining the Derby CF in 2004, Theresa has assisted with increasing assets from $80,000 to $2.2 million; establishing a grant program that has awarded $500,000 since 2007 to area non-profits; expanding the number of funds from 10 to 37; and growing annual scholarship awards from $500 to $90,000. Theresa is a lifetime member of the Girl Scouts of the USA and a Derby Community Foundation Legacy Society Member. Derby has been her “hometown” since 1977. She and her husband, Steve, are graduates of Derby High School, as are their 3 sons. In 2020, Theresa and Steve welcomed their first grandchild, Lucy Judith Hearn.