American Heart Association announces volunteer leaders for 2026-27

DALLAS, July 1, 2026 - The American Heart Association, a global force changing the future of health for all, has named its volunteer leadership for fiscal year 2026-27. Beginning July 1, Manesh R. Patel, M.D., FAHA, a North Carolina-based interventional cardiologist, will serve as the Association's new volunteer president and Lee A. Shapiro, J.D., a Florida-based financial expert in health technology, will continue as volunteer chairperson of the board for the second year of a two-year term.

Other volunteer officers include Linda Gooden, M.B.A., volunteer chairperson-elect, who is a retired executive from the aerospace and defense industry, and Robert H. (Bob) Swan, M.B.A., volunteer treasurer, who is a venture capital and operations executive, both of whom will continue serving two-year terms. Svati H. Shah, M.D., M.H.S., FAHA, a physician-scientist who specializes in cardiometabolic genetics and translational research, will serve as volunteer president-elect.

These volunteer leaders are longtime champions of the Association's mission and have contributed to its work through service at the local, regional and national levels. Together, they bring deep experience in medicine, research, business strategy and governance as the organization continues to advance cardiovascular and brain health for everyone, everywhere.

Patel, of Durham, North Carolina, is chief of cardiology, chief of clinical pharmacology and vice president of heart and vascular services for Duke Health; the Richard Stack Distinguished Professor of Medicine at Duke University School of Medicine and a senior investigator at the Duke Clinical Research Institute. A longtime American Heart Association volunteer on the national board of directors and numerous scientific councils, he previously served as chair of the Committee on Scientific Sessions Program. In 2023, Patel was named the American Heart Association Physician of the Year. As volunteer president, he will serve as the Association's lead volunteer scientific and medical officer, representing the organization's volunteer leadership to continue efforts to advance its priorities in research, science and patient care.

Shapiro, of Sarasota, Florida, is a managing partner at 7wire Ventures, an investment firm he co-founded. He continues a two-year term as volunteer chairperson of the national board of directors. In this role, he remains the lead volunteer officer responsible for governance of the Association's business affairs and presides over meetings of the board of directors and executive committee. He and his wife, Valerie, served as chairs for the Heart of Chicago Heart Ball, which grew under their leadership to become the No. 1 Heart Ball in the U.S. The couple's generous matching gifts over the years have inspired donors everywhere to honor the women in their lives through the American Heart Association's Millions Honoring Moms campaign, making Mother's Day month a focal point in fundraising for women's heart health.

Gooden, of Annapolis, Maryland, is a retired executive vice president of Lockheed Martin Corporation. She previously served as treasurer of the American Heart Association from 2023-25 and chaired the Association's audit committee while serving on the national board of directors. As volunteer chairperson-elect, she will work closely with the board chairperson and the national board of directors to support the business affairs of the Association in preparation for assuming the chairperson role on July 1, 2027.

Swan, of Menlo Park, California, is currently an operating partner on the growth investing team of venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz, where he advises growth-stage portfolio companies as they scale their businesses. As the volunteer treasurer of the American Heart Association, he is responsible for governance of the Association's funds and securities.

Shah, of Durham, North Carolina, is the Ursula Geller Distinguished Professor of Research in Cardiovascular Diseases, associate dean for translational research and director of the Duke Center for Precision Health and the Precision Genomics Collaboratory in the Duke University School of Medicine. She also serves as vice-chief of research in the division of cardiology and director of the Adult Cardiovascular Genetics Clinic in Duke's Division of Cardiology and is co-director of translational research in the Duke Molecular Physiology Institute. An active American Heart Association volunteer leader and member of the national board of directors, she has served as chair of the Association's Research Committee and the Genomic and Precision Medicine Council. As volunteer president-elect, she will support the Association's volunteer leadership and help strengthen the organization's continued focus on innovation, scientific discovery and improving health outcomes in communities across the country.

"The American Heart Association's strength has always come from extraordinary volunteer leaders who bring vision, expertise and a deep commitment to our mission," said Nancy Brown, chief executive officer of the American Heart Association. "We are grateful to continue to benefit from Lee Shapiro's leadership as volunteer chairperson and welcome Dr. Manesh Patel as our new volunteer president, along with the other dedicated members of our volunteer board of directors. Together, these leaders will help us build on our momentum to advance health and hope for everyone, everywhere."

The Association's fiscal year runs July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027.

The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. The organization has been a leading source of health information for more than 100 years and is dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities. Through collaboration, advocacy, research and education, the Association empowers people everywhere to live healthier lives free of cardiovascular disease and stroke.

More than 8 in 10 (82%) U.S. adults say they are confident in the American Heart Association to provide trustworthy information related to public health, according to a recent Annenberg Policy Center poll. The Association ranked second only to an individual's personal health care provider.

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About the American Heart Association

The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. Dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities, the organization has been a leading source of health information for more than one hundred years. Supported by more than 35 million volunteers globally, we fund groundbreaking research, advocate for the public's health, and provide critical resources to save and improve lives affected by cardiovascular disease and stroke. By driving breakthroughs and implementing proven solutions in science, policy, and care, we work tirelessly to advance health and transform lives every day. Connect with us on heart.org, Facebook, X or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.

For Media Inquiries:

Cathy Lewis, [email protected]

For Public Inquiries: 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721)

heart.org and stroke.org