Tammy Hettinger is the Executive Director of the Fulbright Association, where she leads a national network of over 140,000 U.S. Fulbright alumni and 54 chapters committed to advancing global understanding and collaboration. A changemaker dedicated to building strategic partnerships and driving mission-driven impact, Tammy brings more than 20 years of leadership experience across the nonprofit sector.
Prior to joining the Fulbright Association, Tammy served as Senior Director of Strategic Partnerships and Development at NAFSA: Association of International Educators, where she launched new global engagement strategies, expanded corporate partnerships, and increased sponsorship revenue. Her career has included leadership roles at organizations such as Credit Abuse Resistance Education (CARE), TechnoServe, Humentum, and Children’s HeartLink, where she consistently grew revenue, expanded program reach, and built strategic alliances.
Tammy is driven by a strong commitment to advancing global equity, expanding access to education, and promoting civic engagement. She has managed high-performing teams and launched initiatives ranging from financial literacy campaigns to global health partnerships. At Fulbright, she oversees key programs such as the J. William Fulbright Prize for International Understanding and the Fulbright Lens Speaker Series, while driving alumni engagement and preparing the organization for its 50th anniversary.
Tammy holds a Master’s degree in Public Policy from University College London and a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of Minnesota, as well as executive certificates in Artificial Intelligence (Cornell University) and Nonprofit Leadership (Vanderbilt University). She is inspired by the power of education, storytelling, and global exchange to build a more peaceful and just world.
