Local volunteer funding lifesaving research and supporting community health
MIAMI, November 19, 2025 – Jennifer Perez, partner at Shutts & Bowen LLP has been named the American Heart Association Miami 2025 Leaders of Impact™ winner for her work supporting the Heart Association’s mission of creating a world of longer, healthier lives for all.
“Jennifer and our Leaders of Impact nominees have done incredible work over the last seven weeks in the fight for a healthier Miami,” said Katherine Nuñez, development director, American Heart Association. “They have raised funds to support pioneering research that changes lives, spread awareness about the importance of Hands-Only CPR and advocated for health for everyone, everywhere. Their efforts, alongside the many nominees across the U.S., support the American Heart Association’s work to save the lives of the people we love within our community and around the word.”
In the fight against heart disease, the leading cause of death in the U.S.,[1] the American Heart Association trains and certifies millions in CPR, equipping everyday people with the skills to save lives. Through relationships with food banks and community organizations, the Heart Association connects people with healthy food to improve the health of families at home. Research funded through the Heart Association has helped countless people survive heart disease and stroke, while supporting the next generation of scientific talent.
“Participating in the American Heart Association’s Leaders of Impact was personal for me,” said Perez. “My family has been affected by heart disease, which shaped my commitment to prevention, education and action. As a Miami Advisory Board member and a healthcare attorney, I saw this as an opportunity to strengthen the healthcare ecosystem and fund programs that promote community heart health. My campaign focused on launching a Heart Club at my son’s school and providing Hands-Only CPR and AED training, along with essential equipment, to a local school or organization. The goal was simple: empower people to act in cardiac emergencies and improve survival rates. We strive to ensure everyone in our community has the chance to live a long, healthy life filled with special moments.”
For more than 100 years, the American Heart Association has driven change by supporting health and access to health care for all, investing in groundbreaking research, educating health care professionals and patients and advocating for healthy policies. In Miami, the Heart Association is specifically focused on driving impactful change by focusing on three key areas: advancing nutrition security, empowering individuals to reduce their risk of chronic illness through better understanding and management of blood pressure, and building a nation of lifesavers, turning more bystanders into lifesavers through Hands-Only CPR and AED awareness and training.
Leaders of Impact launched on Sept. 18 in hundreds of cities across the nation and culminated on Nov. 5. Each nominee’s participation was focused on opportunities to be a changemaker with a shared purpose to raise critical awareness and fund the mission of the American Heart Association.
Other local nominees included:
- Kadesha Nicholas, TeamHealth
For more information about Leaders of Impact and a list of all the 2025 nominees, please visit leadersofimpact.heart.org.
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About the American Heart Association
The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. Dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities, the organization has been a leading source of health information for more than one hundred years. Supported by more than 35 million volunteers globally, we fund groundbreaking research, advocate for the public’s health, and provide critical resources to save and improve lives affected by cardiovascular disease and stroke. By driving breakthroughs and implementing proven solutions in science, policy, and care, we work tirelessly to advance health and transform lives every day. Connect with us on heart.org, Facebook, X or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.
For Media Inquiries:
Melissa Solis: Meliss.Solis@heart.org
Public Inquiries: 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721)
heart.org and stroke.org
