The American Heart Association has named Kyle Sharbonno, vice president of Gootee Construction, as chair for 2022. In this role, Sharbonno and his executive leadership team will work toward a fundraising goal and encourage participation in the Heart Walk to support the work of the American Heart Association.
The American Heart Association’s Heart Challenge® is a suite of activities and initiatives designed to help companies positively impact employee overall health and well-being. The program is anchored in a series of customizable workplace events that inspires employees to be more engaged, reconnect with colleagues, get in their physical activity, support a great cause, and have fun doing it.
“American Heart Association is not just about raising money but also raising awareness. However, neither of these can be accomplished without the companies and individuals who commit their time and resources to this great cause and I am thrilled an honored to have been asked to Chair the 2022 Heart Walk,” said Sharbonno. “The Heart Walk is amazing because it is truly an event that practices what it preaches. It is a Saturday morning event full of healthy snacks, energetic entertainment, good fellowship, recognition of sponsors and of course the actual walk. To me, it is also a unique culmination to a year of hard work by our executive leadership team, the local American Heart Association staff, and countless others that helped raise awareness and lifesaving funds.”
The New Orleans Heart Challenge culminates with the New Orleans Heart Walk. The walk will be held on Nov. 19 at The Shrine on Airline, Lot E (6000 Airline Drive, Metairie 70003). Festivities begin at 8 a.m., and the walk will begin at 9 a.m. Sharbonno will be joined by other likeminded city executives working to increase physical and mental health, combat burnout, and promote community engagement. The executive committee members include:
-Wills Hover, The Lemoine Company
-Rob Wolterman, Ochsner Health System
-Doug Guthans, AHG Services, LLC
-Wayne Morris, Ochsner, 2022 New Orleans CycleNation Chair
-David Gallo, Gallo Mechanical
-Lauren Marshall, Woodward Design + Build
-David Thread, BXS Insurance
“We are so excited to bring the New Orleans Heart Walk back to our community this year,” said Coretta LaGarde, executive director, American Heart Association, Greater New Orleans. “This event so much more than just a one-day thing where we get together and walk for a good cause. we are grateful for the support from Kyle Sharbonno, his chosen leadership team, the New Orleans community and all our local sponsors and organizations that help us continue to fund the much-needed lifesaving research of the American Heart Association, while getting heart health tips about being active even while we are still spending more time at home.”
The funds raised at all Heart Challenge events fund the mission of the American Heart Association to be a force for a world of longer, healthier lives while supporting priority issues like CPR education, nutrition security and food access, high blood pressure awareness, and more in Greater New Orleans. The 2022 event is locally sponsored by Ochsner Health, Winn Dixie, AHG Services, Atlas Blowpipe & Sheet Metal, Gootee Construction, Aetna, Atmos Energy, BXS Insurance, Clement Building Co, Ferguson Enterprises, Gallo Mechanical, Hoist & Crane, Insulation Sales and Services, LCMC Health, Lemoine Construction, Schully, Strawn & Associates, Trane Technologies, United Healthcare, Woodward Construction Company and Cox Communications. Media sponsors include Outfront Media, New Orleans Magazine, Louisiana Life Magazine, Magic 101.9, Inside New Orleans, New Orleans & Northshore Kids and Family Magazine, and WVUE-TV.
To learn more about engaging your workforce in Heart Challenge events, or to get engaged with the local American Heart Association, visit www.neworleansheartwalk.org or contact AHANewOrleans@heart.org for more information.