Peter Riguardi, Chairman and President of JLL Leads American Heart Association’s New York City Heart Challenge

NEW YORK, October 21, 2024 — Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of death in New York City and Peter Riguardi, Chairman and President, New York Region of JLL is working hand-in-hand with the American Heart Association, a global force for healthier lives for all, to change that. Riguardi will serve as chair for the 2024-2025 New York City Heart Challenge™, a community campaign focused on engaging local companies, corporations and their employees to join the fight against heart disease and stroke. 

Throughout his career, Peter has been a part of defining and at times, redefining the New York City skyline. He has led transformative projects in New York’s most pivotal moments from the rebuilding of Downtown after 9/11 to the redefining of Midtown west by way of the Hudson Yards development and other new developments across New York City. Many of his transactions are ranked as New York’s largest and most complex, including some of the only transactions completed during the pandemic. As Chairman and President, Peter additionally co-leads JLL’s Tri-State region, with responsibility for 2,700 professionals across seven offices. An innovative leader, Peter has been instrumental in shifting JLL from the traditional brokerage model to an advisory model, similar to the function of an investment bank. That new ethos and dedication to deep, strategic relationships with investor and occupier clients, along with recruitment of top talent in key disciplines, and investments in new technology and services catapulted JLL to the market leader in the New York Metropolitan area.

“I am honored to serve as chair of the New York City Heart Challenge.  I hope to bring greater awareness to the devastating effects of cardiovascular disease and contribute to positive changes that will help my community live longer, healthier lives,” said Peter Riguardi. 

As chair of the Heart Challenge™, Riguardi will lead a team of New York City executives to recruit companies and organizations to take part in various Heart Challenge™ initiatives including the Wall Street Run & Heart Walk®, New York City CycleNation™, and Executives with Heart. Through these initiatives, the leadership team and supporting organizations will raise funds for the American Heart Association while leading action-oriented conversations about employee health, corporate engagement, community health and community transformation. 

This year, companies participating in the Heart Challenge will play a crucial role in the American Heart Association’s Nation of Lifesavers™ initiative, a national effort aimed at doubling cardiac arrest survival rates by 2030.

“We envision a future where at least one person in every household and colleagues in every business know CPR,” said Riguardi. “The impact of having trained and confident lifesavers across New York City cannot be overstated. By joining the American Heart Association’s Heart Challenge, companies are helping to turn our community from bystanders into lifesavers, ensuring that when a cardiac emergency occurs, there is someone ready to step in and make a difference.”

Heart disease and stroke are largely preventable and how you eat, move and manage stress impacts your well-being, physically and mentally. Heart Challenge™ provides resources, tools and activities to support both mental and physical well-being for employers and employees. 

“We are incredibly grateful to Peter Riguardi who is stepping up to move the needle when it comes to heart disease and stroke” said Meg Gilmartin, Senior Executive Director, Regional Senior Vice President, American Heart Association in New York City.  “Through the various Heart Challenge initiatives, we are able to drive maximum impact through employee engagement and corporate fundraising. Together, we can save lives in New York City.”

Heart Challenge in New York City is sponsored by Brookfield, Citi, JLL, NYU Langone Health and Scotiabank.

For more information about Heart Challenge™ or to get your company involved, contact Meagan Hallworth at Meagan.hallworth@heart.org or visit  https://heartchallenge.heart.org/new-york-ny