This Couple Quickly Adopted The Woodlands and Became Community Champions — How Cindy and Craig Heiser Make Giving Back Fun

Editor’s note: This is the fourth in a series of stories highlighting Interfaith’s Community Champions, who will take to the runway during The Walk, the nonprofit’s annual fashion show and gala this month. Next up: Cindy and Craig Heiser.

At Interfaith’s annual The Walk gala, Community Champions trade being in the audience for the runway, stepping out to showcase their style and their commitment to The Woodlands community. Cindy and Craig Heiser are bringing their own brand of sartorial splendor to the runway as one of the evening’s five power pairs this year.

The Heisers moved to The Woodlands from Dallas in 1999 with their toddler in tow. Cindy Heiser, who had been a member of the Junior League of Dallas, quickly found a new connection to the community through the organization.

“I transferred here, and Junior League introduced me to Interfaith,” Cindy Heiser says. “They were intertwined. And I happened to be heading up Impact, which is the community service that we do for teachers.”

Her involvement with Interfaith dates back to the early 2000s. In 2015, Cindy co-chaired Giving Goes Glam, the afternoon luncheon and fashion event that preceded The Walk. The event was a collaboration between the Junior League of The Woodlands and Interfaith.

“I happened to be chairing that one year and asked Ann Snyder to be on my committee, and that’s how I got to know her,” Cindy Heiser tells PaperCity The Woodlands. “And then she, in turn, got me and then all the ladies on the committee involved in Interfaith.”

Community Love and Dogs

The Heisers, who owned a business together, have continued to find plenty of ways to give back. Cindy Heiser joined the Rotary Club of The Woodlands in 2020, drawn to its focus on community service.

“They do great work and great service in the community, and I just wanted to be a part of something different,” Cindy Heiser says.

Her term as president of the Rotary Club of The Woodlands ended in July, capping another chapter of community involvement for her in The Woodlands.

Cindy Heiser’s community involvement isn’t close to over though. She was elected to The Woodlands Township’s Board of Directors in 2023.

The Heisers also share a soft spot for animals. Cindy Heiser has become involved with Operation Pets Alive, building on a decade of experience fostering dogs with her husband.

“My husband and I fostered animals for probably a decade,” Cindy says. “We have Rhodesian Ridgebacks, so we were part of the Rhodesian Ridgeback Club. And anytime one was orphaned or needing to be adopted, we would take them in and care for them and hopefully get them placed.”

A Sharp Dressed Man

Craig Heiser spent 30 years with Accenture, but his professional career is only one part of his identity in The Woodlands. He also became a familiar face at The Woodlands High School volleyball games, where he supported the couple’s daughter with a wardrobe that was impossible to miss.

“He became the crazy pants man at the volleyball games,” Cindy Heiser notes.

Craig Heiser began having special pants made in the high school’s colors, including one pair with one red leg and one green leg. Then came the Lucky Pants covered in shamrocks .

“He became very famous as The Pants Guy,” Cindy Heiser says. “So he just embraced it and took it to the next level.”

While Craig’s days as a volleyball hype man may be behind him, his enthusiasm for giving back continues. He now mentors young people and leads Bible studies at The Ridge Church. He has also returned to consulting, drawing on his decades of experience to mentor younger men and women in the rapidly evolving world of AI.

For the Heisers, their appearance on The Walk runway is another opportunity to celebrate the community they have called home for more than 25 years — with a little fashion flair thrown in for good measure.

Interfaith’s The Walk gala is set for next Saturday, August 22. Tickets are available here.