For more than 100 years, the American Heart Association has committed to advancing health and hope for everyone, everywhere. Through Heart of the Capital Region Heart Ball campaign, John Ruane, volunteer chairperson, will lead community-wide efforts to help ensure every individual in Capital Region has the opportunity for a full, healthy life. The Heart Ball celebrates hope and progress made through the dedication and passion of all who support the American Heart Association’s efforts to make an impact on the health of the community. These efforts include the relentless pursuit of scientific discovery, public policy change, equitable health for the under resourced and underrepresented, and education to equip the community to take control of their health.
Ruane is president of The GIANT Company, a modern grocer with more than 190 stores and 35,000 team members dedicated to serving millions of neighbors and making a difference in local communities across Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia since 1923.
He began his grocery career at Foodtown in New Jersey at age 14 and continued working there through college. In 1980 he joined Pathmark, working his way through roles of increasing responsibility from part-time clerk to senior vice president of merchandising. Ruane joined the Ahold Delhaize family of brands in 2011 as sales vice president of Stop & Shop – New York Division and then as senior vice president of fresh for Ahold USA where he oversaw all fresh merchandising and supply chain operations for more than 800 stores. He joined The GIANT Company in 2018 as senior vice president of merchandising and named senior vice president of commercial in July 2022. Ruane was named interim president in August 2022 and became president in July 2023.
Ruane currently serves as chairman of FMI – The Food Industry Association’s Fresh Food Leadership Committee and on the board of directors for Philabundance.
He attended Rutgers College and has completed post-graduate programs at Cornell University and Harvard Business School.
“I am honored to serve as chairman of the 2025 Capital Region Heart Ball. I am eager to work with our outstanding team of volunteers, supporters, and the American Heart Association to drive change by removing barriers to health, investing in groundbreaking research, delivering impactful health education and advocating for healthy policies,” said Ruane. “Together, I know we can create a better tomorrow for all people in the Capital Region.”
The Capital Region Heart Ball is sponsored by The GIANT Company, UPMC and UPMC Health Plan, Bath Fitter, Capital Blue Cross, Highmark, Sun Motor Cars, M&T Bank and other generous sponsors and will be held on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025, at the Hershey Lodge. The annual event is a night to celebrate the Association’s year-round efforts to break down barriers to health in the greater Harrisburg area. Throughout the evening, the American Heart Association, the world’s leading nonprofit organization focused on heart and brain health, will honor volunteers and patrons, feature stories of survivors, and entertain guests with dinner, dancing and an exciting auction. For more information on how to support or attend the Capital Region Heart Ball, visit heart.org/hbgheartball or contact Kahley Stewart at kahley.stewart@heart.org or 717-207-4207.