Kelli Lemon named American Heart Association Central Virginia Leaders of Impact™ winner
Kelli Lemon, local entrepreneur and media personality, has been named the American Heart Association Central Virginia 2024 Leaders of Impact™ winner for her work driving equitable cardiovascular health in RVA. The American Heart Association is a global force for a world of longer healthier lives.
In Richmond, life expectancy varies by over 20 years,1 which can often be caused by social drivers of health, deeply rooted inequities related to public policies, institutional practices, cultural representations and other norms which often reinforce inequities in health.
“Kelli and all of our nominees’ steadfast efforts are helping to ensure everyone across Richmond has equitable opportunities for a longer, healthier life,” said Chandra Hurst, American Heart Association Central Virginia Board Chair. “By ensuring access to quality healthcare and addressing health disparities, we are strengthening our collective future, creating a healthier, more vibrant community for generations to come.”
Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the U.S.1 In addition, an aging, more diverse population, along with a significant increase in heart disease and stroke risk factors among younger people are expected to nearly triple the nation’s price tag on cardiovascular disease (CVD) by 2050, according to new published projections from the American Heart Association.
Over the course of seven weeks, Lemon participated in a fundraising competition alongside six other Central Virginia leaders. Lemon was named the 2024 Leaders of Impact winner after raising the most funds.
“I was motivated to participate in the American Heart Association Leaders of Impact challenge because I can no longer ignore the alarming rates of heart-related issues impacting our community, particularly among the Black population,” said Lemon. “I’ve witnessed the devastating toll heart disease takes on families and friends, and it drives me to use my voice and influence to take action. By coming together, we can shed light on this critical issue, support one another, and create a healthier future for all.”
For more than 100 years, the American Heart Association has driven change by removing barriers to health, investing in groundbreaking research, educating health care professionals and patients, and advocating for healthy policies. In Richmond the Association is specifically focused on community readiness for cardiac arrest, nutrition security and blood pressure control.
Leaders of Impact launched on Oct. 17 in hundreds of cities across the nation and culminated on Dec. 4. Each nominee’s participation is focused on opportunities to be a changemaker with a shared purpose to raise critical awareness and fund the mission of the American Heart Association.
Other local nominees included:
- Gina Conyers – Founder, Gina’s Love
- Adriana Duarte – Senior Loan Officer, KORE Mortgage; Host, TODO LATINO
- Danielle Gilbert – Chief Human Resources Officer, ChildSavers; Executive Coach, International Speaker, Amazon Best Selling Author, and Founder of Manifest in Your Consulting
- Kevin Holland – National Destination Sales Manager, Richmond Region Tourism
- Maggi Marshall – Journalist, CBS 6
- Ben Rothrock, Chief Operating Officer and General Manager, Richmond Flying Squirrels
For more information about Leaders of Impact and a list of all the 2024 nominees, please visit leadersofimpact.heart.org.