Driven by an older, more diverse population and a significant increase in risk factors, at least 6 in 10 U.S. adults are projected to have some form of cardiovascular disease, causing related health care costs to triple.[1] That's a figure that is only expected to grow.[2] Each year heart disease and stroke already kill more than all forms of cancer combined.
Optimal cardiovascular health is shaped not only by clinical care but also by access to coverage, transportation, nutritious food and stress-reducing support.[3] As part of its commitment to accelerate scalable health care solutions to change the future of health for everyone everywhere, the American Heart Association has recognized two community focused, mission-driven innovators with its 2026 Impact with Heart recognition. During annual honors on Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026, in New York City, the Association showcased bold scalable ideas to make health care and essential benefits easier to reach in communities nationwide.
Impact with Heart is focused on lifting up local, community-based entrepreneurs and organizations powered by the Association's Social Impact Funds, and its venture philanthropy program, as well as the EmPOWERED to Serve Business Accelerator™. The Heart Association's support pairs investment capital with coaching and strategic guidance helping ensure participating companies are successful.
This year, two local organizations whose work exemplifies innovation rooted in community health were honored for their programs that are available nationwide:
- Mammha, based in Miami, a Social Impact Funds portfolio company transforming perinatal mental health care. Founded and led by CEO Maureen Fura, Mammha's text- and web-based platform streamlines maternal mental health screening, referral and treatment in clinics and remotely to help more mothers who may be experiencing depression and anxiety receive timely, culturally relevant support.
- ThriveLink, headquartered in St. Louis, an EmPOWERED to Serve Business Accelerator alumnus using AI-powered voice technology to enroll families in essential programs like Medicaid, food assistance and utility support. Founded and led by CEO Kwamane Liddell, ThriveLink removes internet and literacy hurdles so people can complete complex applications by voice, reducing paperwork barriers and connecting families to life-changing resources. A recent investment by the Social Impact Funds is accelerating ThriveLink's reach.
"The American Heart Association has a long history of impact, but the challenges ahead demand new approaches, new partnerships and bold leadership," said Nancy Brown, chief executive officer of the American Heart Association. "What you see through Impact with Heart are powerful examples of what's possible when mission-driven innovators are given the resources, trust and support to scale ideas that remove barriers to care and improve lives."
Launched in 2018, the Association's Social Impact Funds, part of American Heart Association Ventures, support for-profit and nonprofit organizations that are tackling key social drivers of health—health care access & quality, food security and economic vitality—through a program of equity investments, loans and grants. The EmPOWERED to Serve Business Accelerator provides philanthropic support and an MBA-style curriculum that helps health-focused entrepreneurs refine business models, strengthen storytelling and prepare to scale solutions that address food and nutrition security, access to care and community impact.
