[Chicago, IL], November 18, 2022 – John Zachara, vice president at Integrated Facilities Solutions, Inc. and a Heart of Chicago board member, has been named the American Heart Association, Chicago’s 2022-2023 Leaders of Impact winner for his work in driving equitable health in the Chicagoland area. Zachara also holds the distinction of being the top Leaders of Impact nominee in the country.
In Chicago, life expectancy varies by up to 30 years. This gap is often due to the social determinants of health and the barriers to achieving health equity for all communities -- factors that include structural racism1, lacking access to quality healthcare2 and scarcity of healthy food options.
Zachara was honored after raising the most funds and awareness as part of the Chicago Leaders of Impact campaign. Zachara’s individual fundraising totaled more than $76,000. In total, this year’s Chicago Leaders of Impact nominees raised $216,909 helping the Windy City become the No. 1 campaign nationwide.
“Promoting equitable health care for all has been the driving force of the American Heart Association for nearly a century,” said Associate Vice President of Heart of Chicago, Emilie Molidor. “Having volunteers and board members who are in alignment with that mission would be more than enough, but to have someone like John, who went above and beyond this year to further our charge and lead the country is unprecedented. We are so grateful for his advocacy and leadership.”
Mr. Zachara serves as the vice president at Integrated Facilities Solutions, a construction owner’s representative, owner advocacy, and lean coaching company. Mr. Zachara has been a board member of the Association since 2019 and dedicated his campaign efforts to his father.
“It’s such an honor to be named as a Leader of Impact alongside other change agents in the city who see healthy lives and relentless health activism as more than just a nice thing to support, but as a true calling on their lives,” Zachara said.
The American Heart Association, devoted to a world of healthier lives for all, has invested in community health, innovative research and bold initiatives that save and improve lives. Funds raised through Leaders for Life will support the Association’s 2024 Impact Goal which aims to advance cardiovascular health for all including identifying and removing barriers to health care access and quality. In Chicago, the American Heart Association is focused on education and bystander intervention in Black and Hispanic-Latino communities.
Leaders of Impact launched on Sept. 29, World Heart Day, in 150 cities across the nation and culminated on Nov. 15, National Philanthropy Day. Each nominee’s participation focused on opportunities to be a changemaker with a shared purpose to raise the critical awareness, action and fund the mission of the American Heart Association.
Others local nominees included:
- Dr. Demetri Doukas, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Interventional Cardiology, Loyola University Medical Center
- Allie Wyler, President, Advocate Aurora Health
- Mark Tomaszewski, Head of Market Strategy, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois
- Dipul Patadia, MD
- Colleen Capola, Senior Producer, Leo Burnett
Leaders of Impact is held annually as a part of the Heart of Chicago Ball. Heart of Chicago will be held on April 29, 2023, at Navy Pier. This year’s event will celebrate the Association’s push to “meet people where they are” while making strides in health equity.
For more information about Leaders of Impact and a list of all the 2022 nominees, please visit Leaders of Impact Chicago, IL Fall 2022 - Heart Ball - American Heart Association. For more information about the 2022-2023 Heart Ball, please visit 2022-2023 Chicago IL Heart Ball (ejoinme.org).
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About the American Heart Association
The American Heart Association is devoted to saving people from heart disease and stroke – the two leading causes of death in the world. We team with millions of volunteers to fund innovative research, fight for stronger public health policies and provide lifesaving tools and information to prevent and treat these diseases. The Dallas-based association is the nation’s oldest and largest voluntary organization dedicated to fighting heart disease and stroke. To learn more or to get involved, call 1-800-AHA-USA1, visit heart.org or call any of our offices around the country. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
For Media Inquiries
Chicago Communications Director: Jorie Goins: Jorie.Goins@Heart.org
Public Inquiries: 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721)
heart.org and stroke.org