Nancy Brown, Chief Executive Officer of the American Heart Association, has been named to TIME magazine's 2025 TIME100 Health list, recognizing her significant contributions to global health and cardiovascular research. The prestigious annual compilation highlights individuals who have demonstrated exceptional impact, innovation, and achievement in addressing critical health challenges worldwide.
Brown's selection reflects her transformative leadership at the American Heart Association, where she has been instrumental in advancing cardiovascular research and promoting health equity since assuming the CEO role in 2008. Under her guidance, the organization has emerged as a global leader in understanding, treating, and preventing heart disease and stroke, which remain the top two causes of death internationally.
A key aspect of Brown's leadership has been her commitment to addressing systemic health disparities, particularly those affecting women. She pioneered the Go Red for Women Venture Fund, a $75 million initiative supporting companies developing evidence-based scientific solutions to improve women's heart and brain health outcomes. This groundbreaking effort represents a strategic approach to closing investment gaps in women's healthcare research and innovation.
Brown has also spearheaded the Nation of Lifesavers movement, an ambitious initiative targeting a significant increase in sudden cardiac arrest survival rates by 2030. By focusing on practical, community-driven solutions, she has demonstrated a holistic approach to public health that extends beyond traditional medical interventions.
Her recognition on the TIME100 Health list underscores the profound impact of strategic leadership in transforming healthcare. Brown's work exemplifies how targeted research, innovative funding models, and collaborative approaches can address complex health challenges and potentially save millions of lives globally.
The TIME selection process evaluated leaders based on their dedication to creating meaningful, credible change in population health. Brown's inclusion reflects not just her individual achievements, but the broader potential of mission-driven leadership to drive systemic improvements in healthcare delivery and research.
