Nancy Brown, the esteemed Chief Executive Officer of the American Heart Association (AHA), renowned for its century-long commitment to advancing global health, has been distinguished by Modern Healthcare as one of the eminent Top Women Leaders for the year 2024.
This accolade, presented by the esteemed publication, recognizes and commends women executives across various spheres of the healthcare landscape for their pivotal roles in enhancing care delivery, championing health equity, shaping policy, and fostering gender equality in healthcare leadership.
Since assuming the role of CEO in 2008, as the AHA commemorates its centenary in 2024, Brown’s stewardship has been instrumental. Candidates were meticulously selected based on their discernible influence on their respective organizations and/or the healthcare sector over the preceding year.
Expressing gratitude for this recognition, Brown remarked, “I am profoundly honored to receive this distinction from Modern Healthcare, standing alongside the esteemed cohort of Top Women Leaders for 2024. The lifesaving endeavors of the American Heart Association have always been a collaborative endeavor. It is the dedication of our volunteers, supporters, partners, patients, survivors, and staff that propels our mission forward—I accept this award with deep humility, recognizing their profound impact. I eagerly anticipate the collective impact we will continue to achieve as we embark on our second century.”
Brown’s recent accomplishments underscore her visionary leadership. Noteworthy initiatives include the launch of the “Nation of Lifesavers” in June 2023—a CPR education movement catalyzed by NFL player Damar Hamlin’s cardiac arrest in January 2023—and the introduction of the “Health Care by Food” initiative, which underscores the vital nexus between nutrition and well-being. Additionally, the AHA’s strategic focus on health equity, rural health, food insecurity, and other social determinants has borne fruit, culminating in remarkable financial milestones during the fiscal year 2022-23, with revenues exceeding $1.2 billion, solidifying its position as a global health authority.
As the inaugural female CEO of the American Heart Association, Brown has been an ardent advocate for women and women’s issues, spearheading global initiatives such as “Go Red for Women®” and “Research Goes Red®” to raise awareness about equitable health, while also championing female leaders, volunteers, and scientists across all echelons of the organization.
Joseph C. Wu, M.D., Ph.D., FAHA, the current volunteer president of the American Heart Association, and director of the Stanford Cardiovascular Institute, praised Brown’s indelible impact, stating, “Nancy’s visionary leadership has further solidified the Association’s stature as a global authority on cardiovascular health and brain health. Her adeptness at fostering collaborative alliances across sectors has engendered a formidable community committed to enhancing health outcomes. Her compassion, integrity, and resilience have set a benchmark for leadership, leaving an enduring imprint on the industry. I eagerly anticipate her continued contributions to shaping both the healthcare landscape and the American Heart Association for years to come.”
