Sandra (Sandy) Volpe has assumed the role of chair-elect of the board of directors for the Eastern States region of the American Heart Association (AHA), the world’s leading voluntary health organization dedicated to building longer, healthier lives free of cardiovascular diseases and strokes. Volpe will serve as chair-elect through June 30, 2023, at which point she will assume a two-year term as chair of the Eastern States Board of Directors.
Volpe recently retired from her role as senior vice president for strategic planning, communications and business development at FedEx Ground. Volpe served as a member of the former Great Rivers Affiliate Board of Directors, member of the Eastern States Board of Directors Nominating Committee, chair of the Pittsburgh Division Board of Directors and member of the board’s Leadership Development Committee. Volpe has served the Pittsburgh Division of the American Heart Association as a member of the Go Red for Women and Heart Challenge executive leadership teams. Volpe is an American Heart Association Pittsburgh Division 2021 Women of Impact nominee.
“It’s an honor and a privilege to support the American Heart Association and its commitment to ensuring equitable health for everyone in all communities,” said Volpe. “This work is personal to me. My passion is fueled by my desire to educate, give back and help advance the mission for a world of longer, healthier lives.”
American Heart Association – Eastern States volunteers and staff serve nearly 75 million people who live on the eastern seaboard of the United States. The Eastern States region
includes 13 states and Washington, D.C., and five of the top 25 metropolitan areas in the U.S. In support of the AHA’s mission to be a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives, the Eastern States region raises revenue to transform the health and well-being of local communities by providing science-based information, health resources, community programs and patient support. As the second-largest funder of cardiovascular research next to the federal government, the AHA is also a driver of change through its advocacy efforts, public and professional education and community services like CPR training and COVID-19 research and programming.
In her role as chair, Volpe will work alongside Board Chair Mitch Haddon and other volunteer leaders to advance critical mission and fundraising priorities for the AHA, including its 2024 Impact Goal to advance cardiovascular health for all. Areas of focus will build on existing efforts around removing barriers to health care access and quality, addressing issues of nutrition and food security, hypertension reduction and more.
“Sandy is an inspiring volunteer leader who is passionate about the American Heart Association. She has made an incredible impact on our mission throughout her many years of service in the Pittsburgh community. We are excited to welcome her to the role of chair-elect of the Eastern States Board of Directors and continue her commitment to creating longer, healthier lives,” said Nicole Aiello Sapio, Ed.D., executive vice president of
the American Heart Association’s Eastern States region.
Volpe also serves on the board of directors for Republic Services, Inc., an industry leader in U.S. recycling and non-hazardous solid waste and as vice chairman of the Kent State University Business Administration National Advisory Board. Volpe received her Bachelor of Business Administration from Kent State University and her Master of Business Administration from the University of Pittsburgh Katz Graduate School of Business.