Pioneers Of Progress In Heart Health

The following comments from the American Heart Association have been lightly edited for clarity and length.

2024 National Leaders of Impact™ Winner: Corey Bentley

When Corey Bentley set his original goal as an American Heart Association Leaders of Impact™ nominee, he had no idea he would have a record-breaking campaign. With a personal connection to heart health—having witnessed both his own family and his wife’s family face the challenges of heart disease—Bentley turned his passion for giving back into a transformative effort.

He became the 2024 National Leaders of Impact Winner, raising $546,546, also making him the highest fundraising Leaders of Impact participant in the campaign’s history. Bentley credits his commitment to health to his upbringing. With a mother who worked as a personal trainer, he grew up knowing the value of staying active and building healthy habits.

Watching her help family members recover and lead healthier lives after heart issues inspired him to make a difference—especially when he was nominated for the Bay Area Leaders of Impact campaign.

“I’ve had family members on both sides suffer from heart issues and so has my wife’s family,” Bentley said. “So, it was a no-brainer for me. The opportunity to bring awareness to heart health and help raise money for a fantastic organization aligned perfectly with my lifestyle. I am also a person who, in general, likes to give back.”

The Leaders of Impact campaign challenges local leaders to champion cardiovascular disease and stroke awareness while raising essential funds for lifesaving initiatives. Bentley’s passion for health and belief in the Association’s mission drove him to engage actively with the campaign in the Bay Area community.

A key factor in Bentley’s success was the overwhelming support he received from his workplace, Credo. Bill Brennan, President and CEO of Credo and Chairman of the Bay Area Heart Ball, rallied behind Bentley’s campaign, providing critical support. Additionally, the company’s founders, Job Lam and Lawrence Cheng, generously matched Bentley’s campaign proceeds, while colleagues and their families came together to demonstrate an extraordinary level of support that fueled his record-breaking success.

“The support I received from Credo was incredible and humbling,” Bentley said. “It wasn’t just my colleagues; it was their families, too. It was overwhelming in a good way, and it really made me appreciate where I am in my career and company. They were as invested in this cause as I was, and that made all the difference.”

Bentley organized impactful events, such as CPR training sessions, which not only raised funds but also provided participants with lifesaving tools.

“More people showed up than RSVP’d and were ready to learn and engage. It was a powerful reminder of how vital this mission is,” Bentley said.

Today, Bentley stands as a testament to the power of community engagement and the commitment to heart health. Through his involvement in the American Heart Association’s Leaders of Impact campaign, Bentley honors his family’s journey while inspiring others to take action for a healthier future.

“Even if you’ve never had heart issues, this research is lifesaving, and I’ve seen that firsthand as my friends and family have benefited greatly,” he said. “I hope people realize what an amazing, important organization the American Heart Association is, and how much they contribute to the health and science community.”

Bentley invites everyone to join him in continuing to make an impact because together, we can advance health and hope for everyone, everywhere.

The 2024 Centennial Club Members

Join us in celebrating the 2024 Centennial Club Members. These incredible leaders raised $100,000 or more during their 7-week campaign to improve the health of their communities and beyond.

• Corey Bentley — Bay Area-San Francisco, California — 2024 National Winner
• Jessica Bourne — Dallas, Texas
• Dr. Sheetal Patel — Chicago, Illinois
• Nick Schellinger — Indianapolis, Indiana — 2024 National Runner-Up
• Wittney Youngblood — Lexington, Kentucky

2024 Local Leaders of Impact Winners

These leaders raised the most funds in their local communities during the seven-week campaign. The 2024 local Leaders of Impact winners are:

*Denotes Changemaker Club status for nominees reaching or exceeding $50,000 raised during the campaign.

+Denotes Centennial Club status for nominees reaching or exceeding $100,000 raised during the campaign.

Are You the Next Leader of Impact?

Do you want to be a part of the movement that is changing the future of heart health? Know someone who can make a big impact? Nominate them here.

Leaders of Impact share a goal of creating healthier lives for all and driving positive change in communities across the U.S. With the support of local leaders, their teams and our other volunteers, we have:

• Trained 22 million people in CPR each year
• Helped 19 million+ patients with a quality care initiative for high blood pressure
• Funded more than $5 billion in research since 1949
• Reached 12 million people by improving nutrition in 44 communities
• Launched a $20 million Health Equity Research Network to address health challenges in rural areas.
• 2,840 hospitals nationwide follow the American Heart Association’s science based care guidelines to eliminate or decrease disparities in care.
• Partnering with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) on a more than $121 million nationwide hypertension initiative to address a main source of poor cardiovascular health in Black, Hispanic and Indigenous communities, funded by the federal government.

For more information about the American Heart Association impact, visit Our Impact | American Heart Association.