Leading with heart: How executives are championing a culture of wellness in the workplace
In a time when burnout is climbing and workplace well-being is under a microscope, one thing is clear: employees need more than lip service — they need leadership, connection and purpose. That's where the American Heart Association's Heart Challenge steps in. More than just a wellness initiative, it's a movement designed to bring out the best in companies and their people.
A recent 2024 survey of U.S. office professionals uncovered a growing disconnect: while many companies promote wellness, employees don't always feel supported. Employees report fearing judgment for speaking up about burnout and many feel their leaders overlook warning signs. And when employees don't feel connected to their company's values, 72% say it makes their work even harder to manage.*
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That disconnect isn't just a morale issue — it's a health issue. Chronic workplace stress can raise the risk of serious conditions like heart disease and stroke. In fact, burnout has been found to be as detrimental as secondhand smoke. Preventing it requires more than self-care webinars and fruit bowls in the breakroom. It calls for a culture shift — and bold leadership.
That's why the American Heart Association created Heart Challenge, a dynamic suite of initiatives — Hard Hats with Heart, Heart Walk and Executives with Heart — that empowers companies to engage their entire workforce. From the front lines to the C-suite, Heart Challenge invites everyone to step up for their own health while supporting the health of their community.
Heart Challenge events are engaging and impactful, bridging five generations in the workplace through team building, physical activity and purpose-driven action. Companies customize their participation to align with their culture and goals, while employees benefit from increased connection, better health and a renewed sense of determination.
One standout element of this broader initiative is Executives with Heart — a campaign specifically designed to inspire leadership from the top. This effort challenges senior leaders to be visible champions of health, set personal fundraising goals and rally their teams in support of heart and brain health.
By doing so, executives don't just fund breakthrough science — they set the tone for their entire organization.
'Executives with Heart is not just a fundraising campaign — it's a leadership movement,' says James McAnally, vice president of GreenLake Management Services at Hewlett Packard Enterprise and 2025 Atlanta Executives with Heart chairperson.
'When leaders show up with compassion and conviction for causes like heart health, it strengthens the culture and deepens the trust employees have in their company.'
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McAnally sees it firsthand. By stepping into the spotlight and sharing their personal 'why,' leaders within the Atlanta community are fostering deeper engagement, supporting mental and physical health and uniting employees around a mission that matters.
Heart disease and stroke remain leading causes of death, affecting 1 in 3 Americans. Every 34 seconds someone has a heart attack; every 40 seconds, a stroke. And for businesses, the economic toll is enormous — over $1 trillion in projected annual costs by 2035.*
But the real cost is human. When employees are disconnected, disengaged or burned out, everyone loses. Heart Challenge provides a remedy: connection through community impact, wellness through movement and leadership through action.
With support from the Association — including a dedicated staff partner, easy-to-use resources and success strategies — companies large and small are discovering how Heart Challenge can power up their people and strengthen their culture.
Whether it's a CEO joining the Heart Walk, a construction crew participating in Hard Hats with Heart, or an executive team leading by example in Executives with Heart, one thing is certain: when companies lead with heart, employees thrive.
Because at the end of the day, saving lives isn't just good business — it's how we build a better future, together.
The American Heart Association is the nation's oldest and largest voluntary organization dedicated to fighting heart disease and stroke. Founded by six cardiologists in 1924 in Chicago, the organization now includes more than 40 million volunteers and supporters. The Association's mission is to be a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives.
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