Holly began her career as a lawyer, focusing on litigation and environmental matters. She later moved with her husband to South Africa, where she engaged in human rights work and joined the board of a private big-five nature reserve.

During her years in Johannesburg, Hegener traveled extensively throughout Africa, visiting more than 20 countries and seeing firsthand the fragile balance between population growth and efforts to develop and maintain conservation infrastructure. When Hegener returned to the US, she channeled her experiences into conservation-oriented board service, working with both local and regional non-profits on a broad spectrum of land-use issues.

When her 4th child was in high school, she joined a search firm focused on placing top executives in corporations across the US, an experience that gave her a 360° view of governance issues. In retirement, Hegener and her husband moved to Jackson, drawn by memories of visits they had enjoyed over the years, opportunities for outdoor adventure, and a love of the wide open spaces that had also drawn them to South Africa.

Holly loves to spend time in the mountains hiking, biking, and skiing, when possible, with her Bernese Mountain Dogs.