Franchise Business Consultant

Heather Corzine is a Business Franchise Consultant for Marathon Petroleum, the largest refining and

marketing company in the United States, representing brands such as ARCO, AMPM, and Shell. With

over 22 years of experience in the industry and eight years specializing in franchise consulting, she now

manages 25 sites and partners with multi-million-dollar business owners. Her leadership, perseverance,

and strategic expertise have earned her over 10 industry awards, making her a powerful force in a

traditionally male-dominated field.

A Latina born in the Bay Area, she grew up constantly moving, facing instability, and experiencing family

struggles with alcohol, substance abuse, and domestic violence. At just 16 years old, she became a

survivor of domestic violence herself, enduring a near-fatal attack from her then-boyfriend.

Despite these challenges, Heather refused to let her circumstances define her. Having never seen

women—especially women of color—in leadership roles, she was profoundly impacted when she met the

head of the Victim Witness Protection Program, who became her first mentor and planted the seed that

women could lead, succeed, and make a difference.

Heather’s path was unconventional. After repeating her senior year of high school, she became a mother

at 19, with her infant son watching as she walked across the stage at graduation. With no job and relying

on welfare, she turned to Dress for Success, a nonprofit that provided her with professional attire—and

more importantly, the confidence to believe in herself.

Determined to create a better future for her son, she took a job as a gas station cashier, setting a goal to

gain financial independence. While juggling full-time work, motherhood, and college, she faced a life-

altering decision: continue her education or accept a management position that would allow her to leave

welfare behind. At just 19 years old, she chose stability and was promoted to Station Manager, overseeing

a team of 10 employees.

Heather’s career trajectory skyrocketed. At 25 years old, she broke barriers by becoming the first woman

to serve as a Retail Area Manager where she moved back to the Bay Area to oversee 18 gas stations

across Salinas, Santa Cruz, and San Jose, CA. When the company later sold its Northern California sites,

all area managers were laid off—except Heather. Instead, she received a call from the CEO, urging her to

apply for a Franchise Business Consultant position—a role she had never considered.

With no college degree and battling imposter syndrome, she took a leap of faith. She flew to Los Angeles

for the interview and was offered the job on the spot. This role required another relocation, but she turned

it into an opportunity—using her company’s moving incentive to purchase, renovate, and later sell

properties for a profit, a strategy that became an important part of her financial success.

Today, as a Franchise Business Consultant, Heather mentors’ business owners, drives growth, and leads

with impact. She has shattered expectations, proving that success isn’t always about following a

traditional path—but about resilience, determination, and seizing opportunities.

Heather’s journey is a powerful reminder to Latinas navigating their own career paths—that setbacks

don’t define you, that opportunities come in unexpected forms, and that with hard work, mentorship, and

self-belief, anything is possible.