As a leader, I believe every team needs a purpose that goes beyond the finish line—and for me, that purpose is deeply personal. My wife, Sarah, was diagnosed at birth with a rare form of Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) and, at the time, became one of the youngest patients to undergo this highly specialized open-heart procedure. Because of that life-saving innovation—and several others throughout her life—she’s able to live fully while managing her condition. Years later, when we learned our third child, Louis, was also born with the same rare form of HCM, it reinforced our commitment to the AHA, and how critical it is to continue fueling progress in helping manage heart disease.

That’s why I show up—and why I’m asking you to join me. The American Heart Association’s commitment to research has directly impacted my family and countless others, giving people the chance at a longer, healthier life. As we prepare for the Heart Walk in Milwaukee, I challenge our team not just to participate, but to lead—to sign up, to contribute, and to rally others around a cause that truly saves lives. My family is my “why,” and together, we can be the reason someone else gets theirs.