ELEVATE YOUR GOVERNANCE
SEE FARTHER
LEAD FORWARD
Who we are
At Summit Perch Consulting, we elevate governance and leadership through clear, research-driven insight. Our work helps boards, executives, and leadership teams strengthen decision-making, alignment, and organizational effectiveness through executive and director assessment, leadership development, and governance advisory.
Based in Las Vegas, Nevada, we serve clients across the U.S. and internationally. We specialize in governance evaluations, leadership and board development, and learning programs that help organizations see farther and lead forward. We also offer grant writing and grant review services, helping mission-driven organizations pursue and secure funding in a rapidly evolving grant landscape. Our expertise spans the corporate and nonprofit sectors, as well as educational leadership—supporting both current and emerging leaders in navigating complexity with confidence and integrity.
The name Summit Perch reflects our belief that meaningful perspective is earned through effort and elevation. Like a bird perched at the mountain’s summit, we help clients rise above immediate challenges to see the broader landscape—connecting insight to action.
One Founder, Many Perspectives
Summit Perch is built on the belief that thoughtful leadership starts with listening. Founder Heather Buffington-Anderson, Ph.D., brings years of experience working at the intersection of governance, leadership, and human systems—helping clients see the bigger picture and lead with confidence.
Heather Buffington-Anderson, Ph.D.
Founder & Principal
Heather is an ethnographer and qualitative researcher with deep experience advising boards and executives on executive and director assessment, governance, and leadership effectiveness. Her work bridges governance and human dynamics, helping organizations strengthen alignment, culture, and leadership decision-making.
Heather’s professional journey spans higher education, executive education, the nonprofit sector, and private industry. Prior to launching Summit Perch, she served as Senior Director of Inclusive Governance Initiatives at the Leavey School of Business at Santa Clara University, where she implemented operational systems and processes to scale executive programming—including the Black Corporate Board Readiness, Women’s Corporate Board Readiness, and Accelerating Black Leadership and Entrepreneurship programs. Her work focused on board effectiveness, DEI, and leadership development, including designing leadership diagnostics, learning experiences, and governance-centered development programs in partnership with institutional stakeholders.
Earlier in her career, Heather was Assistant Professor of Music History and Ethnomusicology at Claflin University, a leading HBCU, where she co-authored and coordinated a major grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. The initiative trained faculty to embed workforce competencies into their curricula—closing opportunity gaps for students, expanding interdisciplinary research, and supporting the growth of co-ops and internships across campus. This work at the intersection of education, grant strategy, and leadership laid the foundation for her consulting practice today.
In addition to founding Summit Perch, Heather serves as a Senior Consultant with Montijo Mouton Consulting, advising corporate and private equity-backed organizations on executive and director assessment, board reviews, and leadership development. She also sits on a nonprofit board and supports mission-driven organizations with grant writing and strategic funding reviews, bringing lived insight into the rapidly evolving grant landscape.
Heather is also an experienced speaker and has presented her research at national and international conferences. Known for her discerning eye, deep listening, and calm presence, she helps leadership teams connect insight to action—clarifying decisions, strengthening alignment, and building cultures of integrity.
Contact us
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