Seven Central Virginia leaders join nationwide effort to ensure equitable health for all

From left to right: Kelli Lemon, Kevin Holland, Adriana Duarte, Danielle Gilbert, Maggi Marshall (not pictured: Ben Rothrock, Gina Conyers)

The American Heart Association’s Leaders of Impact™ nominees work to advance health and hope for everyone everywhere through community fundraising and philanthropy

The American Heart Association believes that everyone everywhere deserves the opportunity to live a full, healthy life. That’s why seven Central Virginia leaders are joining the Association’s Leaders of Impact™ initiative, working to remove barriers to equitable health for the residents in their community by helping raise critical funds and needed awareness. According to the American Heart Association, celebrating 100 years of lifesaving service in 2024, health inequities related to uncontrolled high blood pressure rates, tobacco use, lack of bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), access to healthy food and life expectancy gaps can impact 80% of health outcomes.

“The American Heart Association is continuing the pursuit of a world free of cardiovascular disease and stroke, through community-based efforts such as Leaders of Impact,” said Michelle Nostheide, American Heart Association Central Virginia executive director. “This program allows Central Virginia leaders and stakeholders to be a part of the solution to changing health outcomes and raise the profile of ways that we can create healthier lives right here at home.”

Leaders of Impact, a nationwide initiative, launched in more than 150 cities across the country on Oct. 17. At the beginning of the campaign, hundreds of volunteer nominees nationwide will take part in a seven-week competition to improve their local community health. Participants are challenged with completing tasks throughout the program leveraging their collective influence to educate their communities on the symptoms and warning signs of heart disease, raise critical dollars to help fund lifesaving research and advocate for the health and well-being of all.

Central Virginia’s 2024 Leaders of Impact Nominees are:

  • Ben Rothrock, Chief Operating Officer and General Manager, Richmond Flying Squirrels
  • Kelli Lemon – Director of Digital Programming, Richmond Times-Dispatch and Virginia Video Network; Founder, Like The Fruit LLC; Owner, Urban Hang Suite; Co-Founder, Virginia Black Restaurant Experience
  • Adriana Duarte – Senior Loan Officer, KORE Mortgage; Host, TODO LATINO
  • Maggi Marshall – Journalist, CBS 6
  • Gina Conyers – Founder, Gina’s Love
  • Kevin Holland – National Destination Sales Manager, Richmond Region Tourism
  • Danielle Gilbert – Chief Human Resources Officer, ChildSavers; Executive Coach, International Speaker, Amazon Best Selling Author, and Founder of Manifest in Your Consulting

On Dec. 4, one nominee will be named the Central Virginia 2024 Leaders of Impact winner. In addition to the local community winners, one changemaker identified from across the country will also be named the National Leaders of Impact Winner.

“At the American Heart Association, our future is about improving yours. We are thrilled that these leaders have joined us in our relentless efforts to advance health and hope for everyone, everywhere but especially in our local communities” said Chandra Hurst, American Heart Association Central Virginia board chairperson. “We are committed to removing barriers to equitable health through our work in communities, supporting groundbreaking scientific research and advocating for healthy policies. The Leaders of Impact nominees are playing a pivotal role in driving change and ensuring that all people have the opportunity to live healthier lives”.

For more information on the Leaders of Impact Initiative or to support one of this year’s nominees visit http://www2.heart.org/CentralVALeaders.