Heather Bautista is the Pageant Director of the West Virginia Coal Festival.

With more than thirty years of experience in pageantry—as a contestant, coach, director, pageant mom, and sash designer—Heather brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to every event she leads. Her journey began as a teenage contestant in a local pageant, sparking a lifelong love for the industry. For over two decades, she has successfully produced and directed pageants across the region.

Today, Heather proudly focuses her energy on the WV Coal Festival Pageant—the only pageant she now directs—driven by her deep love for the festival, the community, and West Virginia’s proud coal and mining heritage. Supporting and celebrating the mining industry is a cause close to her heart, and she is honored to be part of an event that uplifts it each year.

Heather lives in South Charleston, West Virginia, with her two children, River and Reese. She holds a Bachelor's degree from West Virginia State University and works as a Physician Recruitment Coordinator with Vandalia Health at Charleston Area Medical Center.

In addition to her role as Pageant Director, Heather proudly serves as a Board Member for the West Virginia Coal Festival and a Board Member for the West Virginia Association of Fairs and Festivals, where she continues to support and advocate for events that bring people together and celebrate Appalachian culture across the state.