MARY HEMAN
Executive Director, CPG, Valassis

Mary Heman is a marketing strategist and business leader with more than 15 years of experience in Northwest Arkansas in CPG and Retail Marketing. She is currently executive director for Valassis, an advertising technology company that utilizes predictive intelligence for results-driven advertising in many forms such as display media, Connected TV, social media marketing, email marketing and print media to provide omnichannel solutions. Mary lives in Bentonville with her husband, Ryan, and their two children, Ellen (11) and Jack (9), as well as a four-legged Goldendoodle named Lawrence (named after the town Lawrence, Kansas – Rock Chalk!). You can find Mary on Instagram at @MuffyHeman and on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-heman/.

What do you do when you are not working?
I have become my children’s personal Uber driver after overcommitting our family to activities this summer! I have learned the fastest routes to baseball games, cheer practices, mountain biking clubs and swim team. When I do have down time, I love to bake and try out new recipes. Have you tried the new Magnolia cookbook? It’s my favorite!

Where is your happy place?
Anywhere on a beach, with my family & a book.

Favorite quote:
“One day you will look back and see that all along, you were blooming.” – Morgan Harper Nichols
I started receiving daily emails from MHN that are simple reminders and uplifting thoughts for the day, and it has changed my outlook as I kick off my morning.

Favorite meal:
During summertime, I love a grilled meal of steak kabobs with veggies from our garden. So fresh and easy!!

Best time of day for you:
I’ve turned into a morning person in the past couple of years, and I really enjoy waking up before the house gets up to have a quiet moment with coffee, and sometimes will even squeeze in a Peloton ride. It is also a nice bonus to be the first person to say good morning to my family.

Favorite song on your playlist:
Thanks to my daughter, “Déjà Vu” by Olivia Rodrigo has been on constant replay and has turned into a favorite. It’s terribly catchy and stuck in my head most days.

What book is on your bedside table?
“People We Meet on Vacation” by Emily Henry and “The Rain Dragon Rescue (The Imaginary Veterinary, 3)” by Suzanne Selfors – I am reading along with both my kids.

What nonprofits are you involved with and why?
I am currently on the board of Single Parent Scholarship Fund of NWA and the Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce, as well as the Steering Committee for Mercy Health Foundation Northwest Arkansas’ Women with a Mission. I love the support that each organization brings to our local community and positive impact for change!

For more information on Valassis, visit https://valassis.com/.