The American Heart Association has named its volunteer leadership for the fiscal year 2026-27, highlighting a team of medical and business experts to guide the organization's mission to improve cardiovascular and brain health worldwide. Effective July 1, Dr. Manesh R. Patel, an interventional cardiologist from North Carolina, will serve as the new volunteer president, while Lee A. Shapiro, a Florida-based health technology financial expert, will continue as volunteer chairperson of the board for the second year of his two-year term.
Patel, who is chief of cardiology and vice president of heart and vascular services at Duke Health, brings extensive experience as a longtime American Heart Association volunteer. He previously chaired the Committee on Scientific Sessions Program and was named the Association's Physician of the Year in 2023. As president, he will serve as the lead volunteer scientific and medical officer, representing the organization's volunteer leadership to advance priorities in research, science, and patient care.
Shapiro, a managing partner at 7wire Ventures, continues his role as chairperson of the national board of directors, overseeing governance of the Association's business affairs. He and his wife have been instrumental in fundraising for women's heart health through the Millions Honoring Moms campaign.
Other volunteer officers include Linda Gooden, retired executive vice president of Lockheed Martin Corporation, as chairperson-elect; Robert H. Swan, operating partner at Andreessen Horowitz, as treasurer; and Dr. Svati H. Shah, physician-scientist at Duke University, as president-elect. These leaders will serve two-year terms, with Gooden set to assume the chairperson role on July 1, 2027.
The new leadership team reflects the Association's focus on combining medical expertise with strong business governance. According to the release, these volunteers have contributed significantly at local, regional, and national levels. Nancy Brown, CEO of the American Heart Association, expressed gratitude for their commitment, stating, "The American Heart Association’s strength has always come from extraordinary volunteer leaders who bring vision, expertise and a deep commitment to our mission."
The announcement underscores the importance of volunteer leadership in advancing the Association's work, which includes funding research, advocating for public health, and providing resources to combat cardiovascular disease and stroke. A recent Annenberg Policy Center poll found that 82% of U.S. adults trust the American Heart Association for health information, second only to personal healthcare providers.
For more information, visit the Association's website at heart.org or stroke.org.
