Mary McGowan

Chief Executive Officer
WomenHeart

With over 35 years of non-profit management experience, Mary McGowan currently serves as Chief Executive Officer of WomenHeart: The National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease. As the primary representative and spokesperson for this national 35,000 member patient advocacy organization serving women living with and at risk for heart disease, McGowan ensures successful implementation of the strategic direction and increases WomenHeart's visibility and brand recognition among key audiences nationally.

McGowan joined WomenHeart in September of 2010 as Chief Operating Officer to ensure the organization’s long term growth and sustainability. McGowan provided leadership and day-to-day oversight of WomenHeart’s main components including fundraising, resource development, communications, marketing, programs and public policy. She created and implemented WomenHeart's National Hospital Alliance, comprised of hospitals committed to advancing women's heart health - a partnership with hospitals nationwide that seeks to ensure that women heart disease patients in every community have access to information, education and patient support services.

Prior to joining WomenHeart, Mary served as Executive Director of the Allergy & Asthma Network, the leading nonprofit organization dedicated to eliminating suffering and death due to asthma, allergies and related conditions. She held various positions with the American Academy of Pediatrics during her service of 18 years. Following the events of 9/11, she was project director on multiple emergency preparedness grants focusing on the needs of children.

McGowan earned a Masters Degree in Human Resources Development from the George Washington University and a B.A. from Trinity University. She has a congenital heart disorder, a patent foramen ovale (PFO), also known as a hole in her heart, causing a minor stroke in 2010. A PFO is present in everyone before birth but seals shut in about 80% of people.

Check out the incredible speaker line-up to see who will be joining Mary.

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Sunday, September 3rd, 2017

17:20 NGCX 2016 Non-Profit Partner Presentation: WomenHeart: The National Coalition For Women With Heart Disease

Who is WomenHeart: The National Coalition for Women With Heart Disease?

WomenHeart is the only patient-centered advocacy organization serving the 42 million women living with or at risk of heart disease. Through education, support and training, WomenHeart empowers women to take charge of their own heart health and to advocate for others. By aligning our national network of over 35,000 with a Scientific Advisory Council composed of the nation’s top cardiologists and experts, we are making a measurable impact on women’s heart health and raising the profile of the most important health issue facing women today. WomenHeart works closely with companies including Burlington Coat Factory, Silpada, Lord & Taylor, Bayer and General Mills to call public attention to our issues. And, through our WomenHeart@Work program we have educated thousands of employees in companies such as Hewlett-Packard, Comcast and Boeing about heart health awareness.

WomenHeart is partnering with hospitals nationwide through its National Hospital Alliance (NHA) to advance women’s heart health and improve patient outcomes. Through NHA membership, WomenHeart educates hospital staff, women heart patients and the community on the critical need for psycho-social and emotional support for women living with heart disease. The foundation of the membership is the WomenHeart Support Network on-site groups that are led by WomenHeart Champions who are heart patients and have been trained at the annual WomenHeart Science & Leadership Symposium held at Mayo Clinic. Over 750 WomenHeart Champions meet with women after their heart event and extend post-hospitalization peer-to-peer support. WomenHeart Champions also represent the hospital in all community, corporate and media outreach opportunities.