The American Heart Association has named its volunteer leadership for fiscal year 2026-27, effective July 1, 2026. Dr. Manesh R. Patel, an interventional cardiologist from North Carolina, will serve as the new volunteer president, while Lee A. Shapiro, a health technology financial expert from Florida, continues as volunteer chairperson of the board for a second year. Other officers include Linda Gooden as chairperson-elect and Robert H. Swan as treasurer, both continuing two-year terms. Dr. Svati H. Shah will serve as president-elect.
These leaders bring extensive experience in medicine, research, business, and governance. Dr. Patel is chief of cardiology at Duke Health and a senior investigator at the Duke Clinical Research Institute. He was named the American Heart Association Physician of the Year in 2023. As volunteer president, he will serve as the lead scientific and medical officer, advancing research, science, and patient care. Shapiro, managing partner at 7wire Ventures, continues to oversee governance of the Association's business affairs. He and his wife have been key supporters of the Heart of Chicago Heart Ball and the Millions Honoring Moms campaign.
Gooden, a retired Lockheed Martin executive, previously served as treasurer and chaired the audit committee. As chairperson-elect, she will prepare to assume the chairperson role on July 1, 2027. Swan, an operating partner at Andreessen Horowitz, will govern the Association's funds and securities as treasurer. Dr. Shah, a physician-scientist at Duke University, will support volunteer leadership and strengthen innovation and scientific discovery as president-elect.
“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, CEO 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.”
The American Heart Association, a leading source of health information for over 100 years, is dedicated to equitable health in all communities. According to an Annenberg Policy Center poll, more than 8 in 10 U.S. adults trust the Association for trustworthy public health information, ranking it second only to personal health care providers. The organization funds groundbreaking research, advocates for public health, and provides resources to combat cardiovascular disease and stroke.
For more information, visit heart.org or stroke.org.
