Rocky Thurston, CEO of DMI, a global technology consulting and professional services firm, has been named chair of the 2025 Greater Washington Region Heart Walk. The event, scheduled for November 1 at the National Mall, brings together a community of hundreds of local companies as well as survivors, health leaders, donors, advocates and volunteers to promote and celebrate health and well-being. Thurston will lead fundraising, recruitment, and outreach efforts to achieve a $2.2 million goal for the American Heart Association (AHA).
A veteran of the United States Air Force, Thurston brings expertise and leadership across the commercial, defense, intelligence, federal civilian, national security, and state and local market segments at a variety of companies. He has been with DMI since 2022.
“As the AHA heads into its second century, I’m thrilled to support the Heart Walk,” said Thurston. “Like so many, I have seen firsthand the devastating impact of heart disease. Through the Heart Walk, companies and individuals are taking steps to envision a future of health and hope for everyone, everywhere.”
Lauren Sipple, senior audit manager at KPMG and member of the AHA’s local Board of Directors, will serve as the Executives with Heart chair, aiming to raise $750,000 toward the Heart Walk campaign and recruit over 100 executives to participate. “I am so thrilled to bring the business community together to build a world of longer, healthier lives,” said Sipple. “We can raise funds that make a difference in research, treatment, and outcomes to improve care.”
The Heart Walk will feature a 1- or 3-mile walk among DC’s iconic monuments, a dedicated finish line to honor survivors, and festivities all morning long including fitness demonstrations, a Pet Party and parade, CPR demonstrations, a Kids Zone, music, games and more. The festival area opens at 8:30 a.m., with opening ceremonies at 9:30 a.m. and the walk kicking off at 10 a.m. By being a part of the Greater Washington Region Heart Walk, participants are supporting the lifesaving mission of the AHA and safeguarding that fewer people are lost to stroke and heart disease. Every walker who joins, every dollar donated, means more people trained in lifesaving CPR, more research, increased advocacy efforts to build healthy communities and more.
Thurston and Sipple are joined by a team of local executives who are united in the vision to save and improve lives. The 2025 Executive Leadership Team includes:
- Owen Billman, President, Blake Real Estate, 2024 Heart Walk Chair, AHA Eastern States Board Member
- Jeff Bosick, VP, Health IT Division, Leidos, 2024 Executives with Heart Chair
- Dr. Bryan O. Buckley, Head of Public Health, CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield
- Joe Burke, Principal, Grant Thornton
- Cynthia Cifuentes, Regional VP, Kaiser Permanente
- Linda Gooden, Gooden, LLC, AHA National Board Member
- Steve Irish, VP & GM, Peraton
- Dr. Ameya Kulkarni, Associate Medical Director, Kaiser Permanente, AHA GWR Board President
- Jay MacMillan, EVP, Booz Allen Hamilton
- Mike Pittsman, Principal, DAVIS Construction
- Vicki Schmanske, President, Commercial & International Sector, Leidos
- Dr. Cedric Sims
Thank you to our 2025 Heart Walk sponsors including Sheehy Auto Stores, DMI, Kaiser Permanente, Walgreens, Blake Real Estate, Booz Allen Hamilton, CareFirst, Leidos, Peraton, EY, Deloitte, MedStar Health, KPMG, DAVIS Construction and more.
Get involved with the Heart Walk by sponsoring, joining a team, starting your own, or signing up as an individual – learn more here.