The American Heart Association has recognized two community-focused innovators with its 2026 Impact with Heart recognition, highlighting scalable ideas to make health care and essential benefits more accessible nationwide. The honors were presented during an annual event in New York City on January 28, 2026, as part of the Association's broader effort to accelerate health care solutions that address social drivers of health.
Driven by an aging and more diverse population, at least 6 in 10 U.S. adults are projected to have some form of cardiovascular disease by 2050, with related health care costs expected to triple, according to a presidential advisory from the American Heart Association published in Circulation. Heart disease and stroke already kill more than all forms of cancer combined each year. Optimal cardiovascular health is shaped not only by clinical care but also by access to coverage, transportation, nutritious food and stress-reducing support, as noted in a presidential advisory on structural racism as a fundamental driver of health disparities.
This year's honorees are Mammha and ThriveLink, both of which have developed programs available nationwide. Mammha, based in Miami, is a Social Impact Funds portfolio company that transforms perinatal mental health care. Its text- and web-based platform streamlines maternal mental health screening, referral and treatment in clinics and remotely, helping mothers experiencing depression and anxiety receive timely, culturally relevant support. The company is led by CEO Maureen Fura.
ThriveLink, headquartered in St. Louis, is an EmPOWERED to Serve Business Accelerator alumnus that uses AI-powered voice technology to enroll families in essential programs like Medicaid, food assistance and utility support. Founded and led by CEO Kwamane Liddell, ThriveLink removes internet and literacy hurdles by allowing people to complete complex applications by voice, reducing paperwork barriers. A recent investment by the Social Impact Funds is accelerating ThriveLink's reach.
"The American Heart Association has a long history of impact, but the challenges ahead demand new approaches, new partnerships and bold leadership," said Nancy Brown, chief executive officer of the American Heart Association. "What you see through Impact with Heart are powerful examples of what's possible when mission-driven innovators are given the resources, trust and support to scale ideas that remove barriers to care and improve lives."
Launched in 2018, the Association's Social Impact Funds, part of American Heart Association Ventures, support for-profit and nonprofit organizations tackling key social drivers of health—health care access and quality, food security and economic vitality—through equity investments, loans and grants. The EmPOWERED to Serve Business Accelerator provides philanthropic support and an MBA-style curriculum to help health-focused entrepreneurs refine business models and scale solutions that address food and nutrition security, access to care and community impact.
