On April 5, 2025, hundreds of supporters of the American Heart Association, Greater Washington Region (AHA GWR) gathered in the ballroom of the Waldorf Astoria to celebrate the work of the AHA and share stories of lives transformed by advancements in cardiac care. The annual gala raised $1.3 million to advance the AHA’s lifesaving mission.
Ameya Kulkarni, M.D. FSCAI, American Heart Association, Greater Washington Region board president and associate medical director at Kaiser Permanente kicked off the program introducing the four chambers of the AHA’s mission: equity, knowledge, discovery, and advocacy. Bryan O. Buckley, DrPH, MPH, MBA, Barbara and Lew Azzinaro, Karan Nathani, MD and Gail Harris Berry brought these chambers to life, representing medical leaders, survivors and family members of those lost to cardiovascular disease.
Srini Attili, Heart Ball chair and EVP of the Civilian Business Group at SAIC took the stage to share his personal connection to the AHA, his father’s sudden death from cardiac arrest: “heart disease has left an indelible mark on my family. As an Eastern Asian man, I carry a higher genetic risk for heart disease, compounded by high cholesterol. But this cause became even more personal when I lost my father to cardiac arrest last year. The tragic reality is that if someone nearby had performed CPR in those critical moments, my father might still be here. That’s why chairing this campaign is more than a role; it has been a privilege.”
The heartfelt auction segment was led by auctioneer Tom Stebbins and his daughter, Lyla Stebbins – a leading young auctioneer and congenital heart defect survivor. Tom and Lyla introduced a highlight of the evening: the Open Your Heart story.
Audience members were moved to tears hearing the story of elementary schoolers, Aubrey Spiess and Kennedy Shivers, who survived congenital heart defects and needed major surgeries in the earliest days of their lives. Today, they are thriving youth leaders who make their families proud. The paddles flew up in support of Aubrey and Kennedy’s Open Your Heart story.
The evening concluded with recognition of the caretakers of the torch, members of the community who showcase the AHA’s presence through all stages of life and into the future. Amry Junaideen, AHA GWR board chair and principal at Deloitte introduced the torch bearers: Reginald Robinson, MD, Vicki Schmanske and Lara Asch – noted for their leadership in health equity, workplace health and youth advocacy.
The AHA thanks Heart Ball sponsors the Bender Foundation, SAIC, Veritas, Johns Hopkins Medicine, Sheehy Auto Stores, Coforma, Iron Bow, American College of Cardiology, ASRC Federal, Bollywood Heartthrobs, CareFirst, Deloitte, DMI, Inc., Fidelis Care NJ, Giant Food, HigherEchelon, KPMG, Leidos, Maximus, Mercedes-Benz of Arlington, McKinsey & Company, Mortgage Hall Estate, PhRMA, RB Consulting, Inc, RELI Group, Synapse Business Systems, Vicki Schmanske, Take2 Consulting, TRiNET Technologies LLC and Waldorf Astoria.
There’s still time to Open Your Heart and give – learn more here.