Meet Heather Matson
State Representative Heather Matson has spent the last 25 years working and volunteering as a public policy advocate, community leader, state legislator, and development professional. She is passionate about building community, connections, and civic engagement in every aspect of her work. Heather believes that House District 42 deserves a state legislator who is a partner in good governance, who leads with a civic mindset, and who listens to understand, not simply to respond.
Education
Heather has a Bachelor of Arts in Government from Western New England College in Springfield, MA and a Master of Arts in Legislative Affairs from The George Washington University in Washington, DC.
Family
Heather and her husband, Chris Matson, moved to Iowa in 2003 for Chris to attend medical school at Des Moines University. It didn’t take long to fall in love with Iowa and decide to stay and raise a family here. They live in the Prairie Trail neighborhood of Ankeny with their fourteen-year old twins, Emma and Henry, and their dog, Steve. Chris is a family practice physician at Broadlawns Medical Center in Des Moines. Emma and Henry are in ninth grade at Southview Middle School.
Experience
Heather is currently serving in her second term in the Iowa House where she serves on the Education, Health & Human Services, State Government, Appropriations, and Administration & Rules Committees. She also serves as the Ranking Member of the Economic Development Budget Subcommittee. Heather also serves as one of four legislators on both the Iowa Economic Development Authority Board and the Council on Health & Human Services.
Heather always put constituent services first, holding weekly office hours during each legislative session as well as listening posts throughout the year. Heather believes that being easily accessible is one of the most important ways to stay connected to the community she is fortunate to serve.
In her first term, she served as one of four legislators on the Medical Assistance Advisory Council, the purpose of which is to advise the DHS Director about health and medical care services under the state’s Medicaid program. Heather also served as one of four state representatives for the School Funding Formula Review Committee, an interim committee that meets every five years to make recommendations on possible changes to Iowa’s public school funding formula.
Her passion for advocacy and dedication to improving public policy has led to a unique career in government affairs, politics, and nonprofit advocacy. She has previously worked in several roles on presidential, congressional, and statewide campaigns, including those of then-Senator John Kerry, Congressman Leonard Boswell, Secretary of Agriculture candidate Dusky Terry, and former-Governor Tom Vilsack. Her issue advocacy has ranged from organizations as varied as the Chicago Mercantile Exchange to Planned Parenthood. She also served as the Development Director for the Des Moines Social Club, a former nonprofit arts and culture hub, and Democracy Defenders of America, a former nonprofit working to provide civic education and build sustained civic engagement for adults.
Heather was fortunate to be able to be at home with her children for several years. During that time she worked as an independent consultant and legislative bill tracker.
Heather has always prioritized volunteerism as a central way to make an impact in her community and across the state of Iowa. From volunteering with the PTO when her children were in elementary school to working with people of faith and no faith to end extremism in our politics, Heather has always believed that building trusted connections is critical for our future and that good ideas can come from anywhere if you are willing to listen and learn.
Current Volunteer Leadership
- Ankeny Service Center, Board of Directors
- Ankeny Kiwanis Foundation, Board of Directors
- ACSD Innovative Hub Design Team, Community Member
Prior Volunteer Leadership
- ACSD School Improvement Advisory Committee (SIAC), Parent Member
- Planned Parenthood Voters of Iowa, Board Chair and PAC Chair
- Interfaith Alliance of Iowa, Vice Chair, Board of Directors
- Iowa Democratic Party, 1st Vice Chair
- New Leaders Council, Advisory Committee