American Heart Association-Northwest Arkansas pegs longtime volunteer as new executive director
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark., Sept. 4, 2024 — American Heart Association, a global force for longer, healthier lives, has named longtime volunteer Debbie Alsup as executive director of its dynamic Northwest Arkansas market.
Alsup brings more than 30 years of leadership experience to the Association and was most recently vice president at Market Performance Group (MPG), a company that provides omnichannel commerce services to consumer goods companies. She simultaneous served the American Heart Association-NWA as volunteer chairperson for the local Go Red for Women Luncheon and helped grow the event’s Circle of Red from its infancy. Alsup was also chairperson of the American Heart Association-NWA Board of Directors.
“Debbie’s longstanding commitment to the American Heart Association’s mission makes her an exceptional fit for this new role, where she will continue to champion heart health awareness and education across the Southwest,” said Jamie Johnson, region senior vice president of development and community health at the Association.
"Not only is she a joy to work with, but her deep connection to the organization, combined with her extensive professional experience, positions her to drive impactful collaborations and further our mission of fostering longer, healthier lives," Johnson said. At the helm of the Northwest Arkansas office, Alsup will lead a staff of six and four core campaigns: Heart Ball, Heart Walk, Go Red for Women and CycleNation. The Fayetteville office is one of the most prolific in the Southwest region, an area that covers Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Colorado, New Mexico and Wyoming.
A fifth-generation resident of Northwest Arkansas, Alsup and her husband, Danny, own and operate Clear Creek Cattle Company in Gravette. They have two grown children and two grandchildren.
Her passion for heart health is deeply personal, driven by the loss of her father and father-in-law to heart disease and her husband’s heart attack.
"My commitment to advancing heart health is not just professional; it’s personal," she said. "I am dedicated to making a difference for my children and grandchildren, and I am excited to work with the American Heart Association team to further our mission."
Alsup is known for her ability to foster cultures of collaboration and trust, leading to cohesive and high-performing teams.
"I’ve always been passionate about strategic collaboration with community and industry leaders," she added. "By leveraging robust networks and shared passion, we can generate the support needed to advance heart health initiatives and create a healthier future for all."
The AHA team in Northwest Arkansas is eager to benefit from Debbie’s expertise and leadership as they strive to maintain their position among the top 10 markets in the country.
For 100 years, the American Heart Association has saved and improved lives, pioneered scientific discovery and advocated for healthy public policies in communities across the country. These bold moves are fueled by our mission to be a relentless force for longer, healthier lives. They have helped transform our nation’s health and significantly reduce heart disease and stroke death rates. But these gains have not been shared equitably. Black, Hispanic, Native American, Native Hawaiian, Asian American, Pacific Islander and LGBTQ+ people have suffered and died disproportionately. So have people in historically underrepresented communities all over the country. With Bold Hearts™ and powered by science, we pledge to work relentlessly to eliminate heart disease and stroke, optimize brain health and ensure equitable health in every community.
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About the American Heart Association
The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. We are dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities. Through collaboration with numerous organizations, and powered by millions of volunteers, we fund innovative research, advocate for the public’s health and share lifesaving resources. The Dallas-based organization has been a leading source of health information for nearly a century. Connect with us on heart.org, Facebook or Twitter or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.
For Media Inquiries
Cyd King: cyd.king@heart.org
For Public Inquiries: 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721)
heart.org and stroke.org
