The University of Virginia community is mourning the loss of a cherished educator and athletics advocate, Carrie M. Heilman, who passed away on Wednesday after a courageous battle with cancer. Heilman, a pivotal figure at UVA’s McIntire School of Commerce, left an indelible mark on the institution and its students. She was 54.
With over 20 years dedicated to educating future leaders, Heilman’s impact was profound. She was renowned for her teachings in brand management and marketing, and her leadership of the school’s Promotions program was particularly noteworthy. She led her students to victory at the National Student Advertising Competition, securing national titles in 2016, 2020, and 2021.
Heilman’s contributions to academia did not go unnoticed. In 2018, she was named one of the top 50 undergraduate professors in the country by Poets & Quants. Her dedication was further recognized in 2020 when UVA honored her with an All-University Teaching Award.
Beyond her academic roles, Heilman served as the faculty representative to Virginia Athletics since 2018. Her commitment to student-athletes was unwavering, participating in eligibility certifications and conducting exit interviews for over 700 athletes.
“Carrie Heilman embodied the very best of McIntire: excellence in teaching, unwavering dedication to students, and a deep commitment to our school and the broader UVA community,” stated interim Dean Amanda Cowen. “Anyone who knew Carrie understood the tremendous pride she took in her students. Whether in the classroom or leading the Promotions program to national success, she believed deeply in their potential and challenged them to achieve more than they thought possible, elevating not only their aspirations but our entire school. She will be profoundly missed by McIntire faculty, staff, students and the generations of alumni whose lives she shaped.”
Heilman’s unique bond with her students was evident, as noted by then-student Tyler Yen in a 2023 UVA Today story. Yen praised Heilman for treating students as equals, fostering a team-like environment in her classes.
Virginia Athletics shared a heartfelt tribute to Heilman on social media, recognizing her as “an exceptional educator, trusted colleague and a dear friend whose passion for higher education and athletics touched countless lives.”
Her legacy extends to her family, with two of her four children, Thomas and Matthew, actively participating in UVA’s swimming program under coach Todd DeSorbo. DeSorbo recalled Heilman as “amazing in so many different ways” and commended her professionalism and supportive nature.
Heilman and DeSorbo’s paths crossed during significant events, including the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, where Thomas competed, earning a silver medal. Reflecting on their encounters, DeSorbo said, “After the Olympics were over, we bumped into Carrie and Thomas just walking through the middle of the city in Paris. We had a great time. She’s the kind of person who, if you’re having a conversation with her, you don’t want it to end because it’s always great. She was just so down-to-earth. She was the mother of an Olympic athlete, and you would never know it.”
Heilman’s journey in academia began with a doctoral degree in management from Purdue University. She taught marketing at Washington University in St. Louis before joining UVA in 2003. Reflecting on her move to Virginia, Heilman once expressed, “I came on a visit to the University of Virginia and ended up falling in love with it. Who wouldn’t love Virginia, right?”
She is survived by her husband Brad, sons Jason, Matthew, and Thomas, daughter Katherine, and her parents Samuel and Cynthia Ramenofsky.
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