MELVILLE, N.Y., Nov. 19, 2025—Alyce Panico, chief executive officer of Luxe Collective Group, has been named the American Heart Association Long Island 2025 Leaders of Impact™ Winner for her work supporting the Heart Association’s mission of creating a world of longer, healthier lives for all.

“Alyce and all of our Leaders of Impact nominees have done incredible work over the last seven weeks in the fight for a healthier Long Island,” said Tara Schneider, executive director of the American Heart Association on Long Island. “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 those of the other 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.

None of this would be possible without the amazing work of volunteers like the Leaders of Impact, who raised $29,540 on Long Island over the course of seven weeks.

“This mission is deeply personal to me—I lost my father to heart disease 17 years ago, and it has been a constant reminder of how important it is to prioritize cardiovascular health, recognize early signs and take proactive steps toward prevention,” said Panico. “We are working to ensure everyone everywhere in our community has the opportunity to live a long, healthy life, full of special times with their loved ones.”

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. On Long Island, the Heart Association is specifically focused on enhancing the health of our communities by building cardiac emergency response plans, working with food access organizations to bring nutritious food to people and tackling hypertension in the clinical and community setting.

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: 

  • Alyson Belz, executive director, RCM Services, Optum
  • Domenico Ciaccio, vice president, CRA Officer & Business Banking, Ridgewood Savings Bank
  • Andrew Cunningham, police officer
  • Christine Earls, luxury vacation travel planner and owner, You and Me By the Sea Travel
  • Cristina Gulotta, vice president of marketing, Cona Elder Law
  • Jennifer Gunn, director of business development and community affairs, People’s Alliance Federal Credit Union
  • Stephanie Mattera, philanthropist and professor, New York University, School of Professional Studies
  • Missy Pool, FIT Foundation board member and strategic advisor, MultiMedia Plus

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, Instagram, X or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.

For Media Inquiries:

Bong Arquiza: Bong.Arquiza@heart.org

For Public Inquiries: 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721)

heart.org and stroke.org