Mary McGowan named Chief Executive Officer of WomenHeart: The National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease

February 6, 2015 (Washington, DC) – WomenHeart: The National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease today announces Mary McGowan as Chief Executive Officer. McGowan is the third CEO for the nation’s first and still only national organization solely devoted to women’s heart health and supporting the 43 million American women living with or at risk for heart disease. She had served as the organization’s Chief Operating Officer since 2010, immediately prior to assuming the role of CEO.

“It is very fitting that I am given this opportunity to serve as CEO of WomenHeart during American Heart Month, as WomenHeart’s focus is to raise awareness and to educate, advocate and support women living with or at risk of heart disease,” said McGowan.

“We have an extraordinary team of committed staff, Board of Directors, Scientific Advisory Council, WomenHeart Champion volunteers nationwide, strategic partners, and coalition members supporting the efforts of this exceptional organization in the fight against the leading cause of death of women. I am honored to be in a position to build upon the success of past accomplishments and continue efforts to ensure that all women are empowered to take charge of their heart health with access to support and appropriate care,” she continued.

“The Board is excited to welcome Mary as our next Chief Executive Officer,” said Kathy Webster, Board Chair for WomenHeart. “We are confident that she will steer our organization to continued success in supporting and saving women's hearts and lives,” Webster continued.

With more than 30 years of non-profit management experience, McGowan joined WomenHeart in September of 2010 as Chief Operating Officer where she 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 (AAP) during her service of 18 years. Following the events of September 11, she was director of multiple pediatric terrorism disaster preparedness grants focusing on the needs of children.

McGowan 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.

Mary holds a Masters Degree in Human Resources Development from George Washington University and a B.A. from Trinity University.

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WomenHeart: The National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease is the nation's only patient centered organization serving the 43 million American women living with or at risk for heart disease – the leading cause of death in women. WomenHeart is solely devoted to advancing women's heart health through advocacy, community education, and the nation's only patient support network for women living with heart disease. WomenHeart is both a coalition and a community of thousands of members nationwide, including women heart patients and their families, physicians, and health advocates, all committed to helping women live longer, healthier lives.