Business Directory

Heidi Hiller has shown her flair for design since starting private art lessons at age seven and consistently making decorations for school functions, parties and dances. After graduating from Washington University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Commercial and Advertising Art, she began a career in advertising, graphic design and environmental graphic design.

Despite entering the events industry “by accident” as a young mom, Heidi launched Innovative Party Planners in 1996, and built it into a full-service event design and management firm wowing clients throughout the mid-Atlantic. The U.S. Small Business Administration selected IPP as a Maryland Woman Owned Business of the Year finalist, and Heidi has achieved such honors as being chosen for LASSO’s Top 50 and Top 100 Women in Events and the BizBash Top 1000 People in the U.S. Event Industry. She also was named Baltimore NACE Member of the Year and has completed the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Business Program.

While overseeing a team of talented individuals with no limitations on creativity and fun, Heidi works closely with each client to create a unique event experience that surpasses their expectations. She tailors the event experiences and décor to her clients’ goal, theme, personality, budget and vision so they can feel reassured and confident throughout the design and planning process. 

We opened our first wind tunnel in 1998 with the dream of empowering humans to experience the freedom and thrill of flying. Since opening that very first location in Orlando, over 10 million people of all ages and abilities have spread their wings in our wind tunnels. iFLY is today one of the market leaders of commercialized indoor skydiving. Overall, we have opened more than 80 locations worldwide in countries including the US, Canada, Brazil, France, New Zealand, Australia, Great Britain, China, and Singapore.

Jacqueline Lofton holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology with an emphasis in Applied Behavior Analysis from Purdue University. She is also a certified Life Coach through the Transformation Academy.  She currently serves as the Pikesville Senior Center Director for Baltimore County Department of Aging where her primary role is to facilitate community partnerships in the effort to provide seniors with engaging programming, health & wellness opportunities, as well as social & financial support.

After spending more than 20 years working in the for-profit educational system as an instructor and program chair, Jackie found her calling when she decided to take the path of supporting non-profit organizations. Jackie’s advancement in the programming and services at Woodlawn Senior Center resulted in $4.6 million renovations and expansion of the center. Jackie supports the LGBTQIA community through various volunteer efforts, fundraisers and educational workshops. Jackie has had the opportunity to help many to repair relationships, find their joy & self-worth, and focus on career goals. 

Jackie’s most rewarding accomplishment is possessing a passion for cultivating a community that protects, empowers, educates and celebrates Black Women. Each career move that she makes is in the efforts of diversifying agencies and providing knowledge of what services are needed in the Black Community.