Blood drives are an essential part of our lifesaving mission at ConnectLife. Before blood donors end up in the chairs to donate, our team of five Account Executives work tirelessly every day to raise awareness about the importance of blood donation, recruit blood donors, and help make each blood drive a success for the families, businesses, and organizations that host blood drives. Their work ensures our local hospitals have the blood they need to save lives.
Each Account Executive covers a specific area across the eight counties of Western New York. Read through our Q & A to get to know them! If you're interested in hosting a blood drive or want to learn more about how to get started, we have listed their emails and phone numbers below.
Get to Know ConnectLife's Account Executive Team
Meet Heather Harper
If you're interested in hosting a blood drive in Niagara County and Orleans County or want to host a Memorial or Connection Blood Drive, reach out to Heather. She has been connecting lives since 2013, but when she's not at work you can find her baking a delicious cheesecake and spending time with her husband, daughters, and grandson.
📧 hharper@connectlife.org
📞 1-716-529-4423
What is your favorite thing about being an Account Executive?
The many families I’ve worked with as well as donors and those sponsoring blood drives. I’m blessed to say many have become my friends. I’ve also seen, first-hand how donation can impact a life and I’m honored to be a part of this organization.
What are your hobbies?
I love to cook and bake. Cheesecake (all types) is my specialty!
What is your favorite food?
Cannoli and Spanakopita.
What could you not live without?
My husband, daughters and grandson! I also need my faith, good hard laughs each day and my coffee.
What is your favorite thing about WNY?
I love the change of seasons. Spring in WNY is lovely, cherry Blossoms, fresh cut grass and sunshine. Autumn in WNY is a blast, football and our amazing Buffalo Bills!!
What is your daily inspiration?
I listen to “Grace for Purpose” in the morning as it helps me put my problems and challenges in perspective and remember to be thankful.
Meet Jamie Bigaj
If you're interested in hosting a blood drive in the Southtowns including South Buffalo, Gowanda/Springville, etc., reach out to Jamie. He has been connecting lives since 2018, and when he's not at work you can find him playing guitar, enjoying the outdoors, and spending time with his wife and family.
What is your favorite thing about being an Account Executive?
I get to meet new people every single day and form wonderful relationships with my sponsors and donors. I love giving presentations and teaching students and adults about ConnectLife's lifesaving mission, and it’s an honor to be able to be a small part of that grand mission – to save lives!
What are your hobbies?
Playing guitar, hunting, fishing, hiking, camping and riding four wheelers. I enjoy watching football and rooting for the Buffalo Bills.
What is your favorite food?
Tacos.
What could you not live without?
My wife and family. They mean so much to me, and I’d be lost without every one of them.
What is your favorite thing about WNY?
The people. WNY is a tight knit community with a sense of “family” throughout the whole region. We have always had an underdog mentality as a region, and I think it’s the main reason why we are how we are. We are truly “One Buffalo.”
What is your daily inspiration?
My inspiration every single day at ConnectLife is to save lives. That’s what we do.
Meet Katie Rowley
If you're interested in hosting a blood drive in the Southern Tier, reach out to Katie. She has been connecting lives since 2022, but when she's not at work you can find her listening to live music, checking out local breweries, and being with her dog Kingston.
📧 krowley@connectlife.org
📞 1-716-529-4422
What is your favorite thing about being an Account Executive?
Helping save lives and connecting with blood donors.
What are your hobbies?
I love going out to see live music, skiing, hiking, and checking out local breweries.
What is your favorite food?
Cheese.
What could you not live without?
My friends and family.
What is your favorite thing about WNY?
The four seasons, and the Buffalo Bills.
What is your daily inspiration?
My dog Kingston! The simplest thing like an ice cube makes him so happy.
Meet Rebecca Aupperle
If you're interested in hosting a blood drive in Amherst, Williamsville, Clarence, Getzville, and Lancaster, reach out to Rebecca. She has been connecting lives since 2010, but when she's not at work you can find her running, skiing, gardening, and enjoying all things WNY.
📧 raupperle@connectlife.org
📞 1-716-529-4425
What is your favorite thing about being an Account Executive?
No two days are the same and forming relationships with sponsors and donors.
What are your hobbies?
Running, skiing, and gardening.
What is your favorite food?
Sour patch kids.
What is your favorite thing about WNY?
EVERYTHING! Best kept secret shhhhhh…
What is your daily inspiration?
To live better than the day before.
Meet Melanie Brem
If you're interested in hosting a blood drive in Buffalo, Cheektowaga, Kenmore, or Tonawanda, reach out to Melanie. She has been connecting lives since 2019, and when she's not at work you can find her reading, cooking, doing DIY projects, and enjoying all WNY has to offer all year round.
📧 mbrem@connectlife.org 📞 1-716-529-4434
What is your favorite thing about being an Account Executive?
No two days are the same. I love the opportunity to meet new people and see new places while seeing how giving the City of Good Neighbors is!
What are your hobbies?
Reading, baking, cooking, yoga, DIY projects, and gardening.
What is your favorite food?
Sushi.
What could you not live without?
Coffee.
What is your favorite thing about WNY?
The food and there are always things to do, all within a short commute and no matter the time of year.