The American Heart Association has announced its volunteer leadership for the fiscal year 2026-27, effective July 1. Dr. Manesh R. Patel, an interventional cardiologist from Duke Health, will serve as the new volunteer president, while Lee A. Shapiro, a managing partner at 7wire Ventures, continues as volunteer chairperson of the board for a second year. Other officers include Linda Gooden as chairperson-elect and Robert H. Swan as treasurer, both continuing two-year terms. Dr. Svati H. Shah has been named volunteer president-elect.
These volunteer leaders bring extensive experience in medicine, research, business strategy, and governance. Patel, who previously served as the Association's Physician of the Year in 2023, will act as the lead volunteer scientific and medical officer, advancing priorities in research, science, and patient care. Shapiro remains responsible for governance of the Association's business affairs. Gooden, a retired Lockheed Martin executive, will prepare to assume the chairperson role in 2027. Swan, an operating partner at Andreessen Horowitz, oversees the Association's funds and securities. Shah, a physician-scientist at Duke, will support innovation and scientific discovery.
“The American Heart Association’s strength has always come from extraordinary volunteer leaders who bring vision, expertise and a deep commitment to our mission,” said Nancy Brown, CEO of the American Heart Association. “We are grateful to continue to benefit from Lee Shapiro’s leadership as volunteer chairperson and welcome Dr. Manesh Patel as our new volunteer president, along with the other dedicated members of our volunteer board of directors. Together, these leaders will help us build on our momentum to advance health and hope for everyone, everywhere.”
The American Heart Association is a leading source of health information for over 100 years, dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities. According to a recent Annenberg Policy Center poll, more than 8 in 10 U.S. adults trust the Association for trustworthy public health information, second only to personal health care providers. The organization funds groundbreaking research, advocates for public health, and provides critical resources to combat cardiovascular disease and stroke. For more information, visit heart.org or stroke.org.
