Women’s Cardiovascular Health
Women’s Cardiovascular Health
Global Heart Hub 5th Unite Annual Summit
We look forward to welcoming you to Global Heart Hub’s 5th Unite Annual Summit from 2-4 November 2025 in Dublin, Ireland!
Women’s Cardiovascular Health
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in women worldwide. Too often, women’s symptoms are misinterpreted or overlooked due to a lack of awareness about how CVD presents differently in women. Urgent global action is required to stop this and improve the screening, diagnosis and treatment journey for women with CVD.
Unite for Action
This year, the Unite Summit will explore the challenges and issues of:
late, missed and misdiagnosis of CVD in women;
under-representation of women in CVD clinical trials;
under-research of female-specific risk factors and heart conditions.
By uniting experts from around the world in women’s cardiovascular health, from patients with lived experience to clinicians, policy makers and key opinion leaders, we endeavour to turn insight into action and improve treatment and care for women living with CVD.
The health disparities between women and men with CVD are an urgent, global problem that has been repeatedly ignored and dismissed for too long. Women with CVD must no longer be overlooked but instead supported, informed and empowered at every step of their journey.
Unite Summit 2025 Speakers
Karen Coleman
Moderator
– Unite Annual Summit
About the Moderator
Karen Coleman is a professional moderator and broadcast journalist from Ireland. Karen has moderated and been Master of Ceremonies of a significant number of high-level EU, national and international events over the last 20 years. In addition, Karen is the editor of EU News Radio (Ireland), which reports on EU news for Irish radio stations. Karen therefore has extensive experience reporting on EU and international issues spanning a wide range of topics from Health and Medical to Environmental, Political, Economic, EU Cohesion policy, Finance, Technology, and Security and Defence issues.
Kitti Almer
Senior Policy and Advocacy Manager, FH Europe Foundation, and former Public Health Attaché at the Permanent Representation of Hungary to the EU, Hungary
About the Speaker
In August 2025, Kitti Almer joined FH Europe as Senior Policy and Advocacy Manager. Previously, she served as the Public Health Attaché at the Permanent Representation of Hungary to the European Union for two years. In this role, she steering Hungary’s public health priorities during the 2024 EU Council Presidency, coordinating the adoption of two key sets of Council Conclusions: one on improving cardiovascular health across the EU and another on strengthening cooperation in the field of transplantation and organ donation.
With nearly four years of experience at the Ministry responsible for health in Budapest, Kitti played a key role in coordinating Hungary’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. She also led the core organising team for the 7th Ministerial Conference on Environment and Health, held in close cooperation with the World Health Organisation, which brought together more than 650 ministers and high-level stakeholders from across the European Region. Kitti holds a Bachelor’s degree in European Public Health from Maastricht University and a Master’s degree in Public Policy from United Nations University-MERIT, where she focused on evidence-based policymaking in health systems.
Dr Shrilla Banerjee
Consultant Interventional Cardiologist, East Surrey Hospital, Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust, UK
About the Speaker
Dr Shrilla Banerjee is an Interventional Cardiologist based at Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust. She has a particular interest in the diagnosis and management of cardiovascular disease in women. Dr Banerjee is an advocate for increasing the diversity of cardiovascular healthcare professionals to reduce the disparities in care seen in CVD diseases. This is reflected in her publications and her invitation to Chair the focus group for Women in Interventional Cardiology for the British Cardiovascular Interventional Society.
Prof Raffaele Bugiardini
Physician Advocate for patient inclusion in research & clinical decision-making, University of Bologna, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), Italy
About the Speaker
Prof Raffaele Bugiardini, MD, FESC, FACC, FAHA, is a Full Professor of Cardiology at the University of Bologna. He received his medical degree and cardiology training from the University of Bologna, with further research training in coronary physiology at Hammersmith Hospital, London. He is Principal Investigator of the International Survey of Acute Coronary Syndromes (ISACS), with a focus on patient outcomes in Eastern Europe and the Western Balkans. His research covers ischemic heart disease, women and heart disease, coronary spasm and microcirculation and health disparities in cardiovascular care. He currently serves as Chair of The Lancet Regional Health – Europe Commission on Inequities and Disparities in Cardiovascular Health.
Prof Bugiardini has authored numerous scientific publications and book chapters in leading journals. Recognised among the World’s Top 2% Scientists by Stanford University and Elsevier, he serves on multiple editorial boards and ESC guideline task forces. He is Past Chair of the ESC Working Group on Coronary Pathophysiology and Microcirculation and a former ESC Board Councilor. He is a Fellow of the ESC, ACC, AHA and Italian Federation of Cardiology. His honours include Doctor Honoris Causa from the Universities of Carol Davila (Romania), Belgrade and Kragujevac (Serbia).
Magdalena Daccord
CEO, FH Europe Foundation, Switzerland
About the Speaker
Magdalena Daccord is the Chief Executive of FH Europe, leading the organisation since November 2019. Under her leadership, the network has significantly expanded its membership and broadened its focus beyond familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) to include rare and severe lipid conditions such as HoFH, FCS and Lp(a). She has spearheaded the creation of Scientific and Policy Advisory Committees, an Industry Roundtable and established Stichting FH Europe in the Netherlands to transition the charity into an EU-registered non-profit. By early 2023, FH Europe had actively pursued EU funding opportunities, leading one consortium and participating in others. The organisation has strengthened its presence in the global health community, becoming a member of WHF, EPF, EURORDIS and a partner of EACH, while collaborating with leading organisations such as EAS, IAS, FHSC and EAPC. Magdalena has also contributed to scientific publications in the field. Previously, she served as Head of Operations EMEA at DIA, where she managed a team and a diverse portfolio of educational programs, including initiatives focused on regulatory affairs and patient engagement. Her earlier career includes roles in biotech and pharma, with a focus on rare diseases and orphan drugs. A Polish national based in Switzerland, Magdalena is passionate about healthcare transformation, with a strong emphasis on personalized prevention and precision medicine. She is also an advocate for women’s development and gender equality in health.
Fernanda de Carvalho
Public & International Affairs, Instituto Lado a Lado pela Vida, Brazil
About the Speaker
Fernanda de Carvalho is a journalist and specialist in stakeholder engagement and reputation management. Her responsibilities at Lado a Lado pela Vida are to establish relationships with public and private organisations, in Brazil and abroad, expanding the actions of the organisation, which is dedicated to positively impact healthcare in Brazil, in the areas of cardiovascular disease, oncology and men’s health. She represents Lado a Lado pela Vida as a Global Heart Hub affiliate at The Invisible Nation; a worldwide network of patient organisations committed to driving a decline in cardiovascular death by effecting systemic change in atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). Fernanda is also a Member of the Advocacy Committee at World Heart Federation and a Member of the Governing Board at IAPO (International Alliance of Patient Organisation).
Prof Christi Deaton
Emerita Prof of Nursing, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, UK
About the Speaker
Prof Christi Deaton is Emerita Professor of Nursing at the University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine and Cambridge University Hospitals. Although retired since October 2023, she remains active in research and professional activities. Current research focuses on heart failure, especially management of patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction across health services. She has led programmes to develop research capacity and capability among nurses, midwives and AHPs regionally and nationally and is a mentor to aspiring researchers. Prof Deaton is an active volunteer with the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) and the British Heart Foundation. She has contributed to various ESC committees, guidelines, position papers, consensus and scientific statements and is an active member of the European Association of Preventive Cardiology, Association of Cardiovascular Nurses and Allied Professionals and the Heart Failure Association and a Fellow of ESC, American Heart Association and American Academy of Nurses.
Porothea Dennis
Patient Advocate, WomenHeart Champion, USA
About the Speaker
Porothea Dennis, MSN, RN, APRN, is a proud mother of four and grandmother of fourteen. She is a heart attack, stroke and kidney transplant survivor, as well as a certified Community Health Worker. Her lifelong journey in healthcare began at the age of 14, when she volunteered as a candy striper at Miami Valley Hospital. Today, she serves as a school nurse in the Dayton Public School System and is a proud graduate of Dayton’s Paul Laurence Dunbar High School, Class of 1989.
Porothea has worked extensively as a community educator, including with the Mahogany Child program founded by the late Frankye Hearld. She is passionate about empowering others with health knowledge, particularly within the African American community. Drawing on her own health experiences, she emphasises the importance of self-care and timely access to medical care, sharing her story as both inspiration and testimony.
In addition to her professional role, Porothea is a dedicated volunteer. She serves as a WomenHeart Champion with WomenHeart: The National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease, a Kidney Health Coach with the American Kidney Foundation, President of the Jane Reece Neighborhood Association and an active contributor to many other organisations.
Porothea lives by the belief that one must “put on their own mask first” and pour into themselves before pouring into others. Guided by this philosophy, she embraces her mission to Support, Educate and Advocate (SEA) for all, knowing that if her story impacts even one life, it has fulfilled its purpose.
Dr Michelle Dew
Medical Director Women’s Heart Care Program, AdventHealth Shawnee Mission Cardiology/ Cardiothoracic Department, USA
About the Speaker
Dr Michelle Dew is a board-certified Cardiologist with Advent Health in Kansas City, Missouri, USA. She attended medical school and completed Internal Medicine residency at the University of Missouri Kansas City and Cardiology Fellowship at the University of Arizona in Tucson. In 2022, after 16 years of practice, Dr Dew moved to Advent Health to start a Woman’s Cardiac Care program. This is in addition to continuing general cardiology care for both men and women, in both hospital and clinic settings, performing and interpreting echo and nuclear imaging and stress tests.
She has obtained grants focused on Women’s cardiac care and has published extensively. One of her passions is community education and she loves an opportunity to connect with “pre” cardiac patients and answer questions that can impact the rest of their life. Making personal health easy and relatable is essential to understanding how and why we feel the way we do and how we can perform physically and mentally better each day. She has volunteered on multiple international medical missions and when not working, she enjoys her family, friends and dogs, reading, hiking, puzzling, playing spades and dominos, flying kites and travelling.
Hyvelle Ferguson-Davis
Patient Advocate, Heart Sistas, Inc., USA
About the Speaker
Hyvelle Ferguson Davis is a dynamic health advocate and survivor whose personal journey has spurred significant impact in women’s heart and diabetes care. Diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in her mid-30s, Hyvelle later experienced a debilitating stroke at age 41, followed just weeks later by a heart attack that required quadruple-bypass surgery. These life-changing medical events catalyzed her transformation. She embraced a holistic, plant-based lifestyle, gardening her own produce, swapping sugary beverages for water and trading processed foods for whole grains and vegetables. Channelling her resilience into action, Hyvelle founded Heart Heart Sistas, a nonprofit empowering underrepresented women, especially Black women, to prioritise cardiovascular and mental health. The organisation fosters community education, peer support, and proactive disease prevention.
In addition to leading Heart Sistas she serves as an ambassador for both the American Heart Association’s Know Diabetes by Heart initiative and the American Diabetes Association. She is a published author, TEDx speaker and World Heart Federation “Heart Hero”. Hyvelle uses storytelling, education and advocacy to address healthcare disparities. A wife and mother of three, she’s committed to inspiring women to “fight smart,” sharing her experiences and strategies for building healthier, more informed communities.
Prof Gerard Flaherty
Professor, University of Galway, Ireland
About the Speaker
Prof Gerard Flaherty is a Professor of University of Galway, who was the Founder and Programme Director (2013-2020) for the Masters in Preventive Cardiology programme at University of Galway from 2013-2022.He graduated from University of Galway with a first-class honours degree and gold medals in all eight final year subjects. He gained Membership of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland in 2002 and Fellowship in 2011. He completed 3 master’s degrees, including a master’s in medical education (Dundee). His two higher doctoral theses (MD and PhD) were based on his original research in travel medicine. Prof Flaherty previously held academic positions as Professor of Medical Education, Undergraduate Medical Programme Director and Head of International Students for the University of Galway School of Medicine. He has over 250 publications to date across travel medicine, preventive cardiology and medical education. He has delivered numerous invited lectures to various institutions and organisations in over 20 countries. He is currently ranked 10th in the global lifetime list of travel medicine scholars (ScholarGPS, 2025). He completed his term as President of the International Society of Travel Medicine in May 2025, the first Irish person to hold this title.
Prof Flaherty has worked with Croí, the West of Ireland Cardiac Foundation, as volunteer expedition physician on fundraising high-altitude treks to the Himalayas and Africa and he was responsible for the medical management of participants on the Croí MyAction preventive cardiology programme. He also helped establish the National Institute for Prevention and Cardiovascular Health, on whose Advisory Council he serves as Director of Academic Affairs and Fellowship.
Celina Gorre
CEO, WomenHeart, USA
About the Speaker
Celina Gorre is the CEO of WomenHeart, the leading nonprofit focused on greater awareness and education on the number one killer of women, as well as the injustices that women face in their heart journeys. Prior to WomenHeart, Celina served as executive director of the Global Alliance for Chronic Diseases, where she led the GACD Secretariat based in London, funding research in over 70 countries around the world. She also worked in the field with United Nations Populations Fund and UNICEF in Angola as a senior advisor to the Angolan government on HIV/AIDS and child survival and to multinational companies on their social and local community investments. Celina also has extensive experience developing health and social programs for multinational companies. She has worked for the Global Business Coalition on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (now GBCHealth), guiding companies such as Nike, Volkswagen, Colgate, American Express and Chevron, on their strategy implementation for employees, consumers and communities. She holds a Bachelor degree in psychology, a Master in Public Health in epidemiology, both from UCLA and a Master in Public Administration from Harvard University.
Prof Martha Gulati
Cardiologist and Immediate Past President of the American Association of Preventive Cardiology, USA
About the Speaker
Martha Gulati, MD, MS, FACC, FAHA, MASPC, FESC, FSCCT is the immediate Past President of the American Society for Preventive Cardiology. She was formerly the inaugural Chief of Cardiology at the University of Arizona. She is the author of the best-seller, “Saving Women’s Hearts”. She served as the chair of the national chest pain guidelines from the American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology, that were released in 2021.
Neil Johnson
Executive Director,
Global Heart Hub, Ireland
– Unite Annual Summit
About the Speaker
Neil Johnson is a founder and Executive Director of Global Heart Hub, the first international alliance of heart patient organisations. Neil has over 32 years of experience in cardiovascular health – working across prevention, education, patient engagement, service innovation & implementation, and patient advocacy.
Neil was Chief Executive of the Irish Heart & Stroke organisation, Croí from 1992–2023 and the Irish National Institute for Prevention and Cardiovascular Health from 2014–2023.
He holds a Master’s degree in psychology; is an Honorary Clinical Fellow of the School of Medicine, University of Galway, Ireland; and in 2023, University of Galway awarded Neil an Honorary Doctorate in Laws (LLD) in recognition of his work in cardiovascular health and patient advocacy.
Renate Kaal-Poppelaars
Patient Advocate, Stichting Vrouwenhart & FH Europe Foundation, Netherlands
About the Speaker
With a professional background in banking, insurance and healthcare services and managing a successful family business, Renate is actively involved with FH Europe Foundation and Stichting VrouwenHart, raising awareness and advocating for improved care for people affected by genetic lipid disorders such as familial hypercholesterolemia (FH), elevated L.p(a) and FCS, as well as for better recognition and treatment of women’s heart disease. Early testing, awareness and access to effective treatment can save lives. Symptoms, risk factors and responses to treatments often differ between individuals. Addressing these gaps requires advocacy, education and inclusive research. In women especially, cardiovascular disease is still underdiagnosed and undertreated. Through her work with FH Europe Foundation and Stichting VrouwenHart, Renate shares knowledge, connects with others and advocates for better healthcare solutions for people affected by FH, elevated Lp(a), FCS and women’s heart disease. She is a passionate advocate for equitable healthcare, committed to ensuring that no one is left behind on their health journey. Her dedication is deeply personal as her husband and his family live with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) and she herself manages elevated lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] and ANOCA.
Hannah Keime
Co-Founder & President, HeartCharged, USA
Unite Annual Summit
About the Speaker
Hannah Keime, filmmaker and co-founder of HeartCharged, brings the passion of a patient and the intent of an advocate to her international advocacy work, which has won numerous awards including the inaugural Global Heart Hub Unite Summit Excellence Award. Named the “Fresh Face of HCM Advocacy”, Hannah’s connected with a new generation of heart patients, who need and want more information to make better informed decisions throughout their healthcare journey. Her innovative awareness campaigns have organically garnered the attention of tens of millions across social media. They are simultaneously lauded by cardiologists, listened to by the general public and loved by the heart patient community.
Hannah has captured people’s attention and ignited them to action. Her Flash The Boobs to Save A Life campaign for CPR/AED awareness has become an international revolution. Her organisation has many accomplishments, from enacting legislation to passing initiatives providing 20,000+ free heart screenings to life-saving CPR/AED trainings and AED donations. Hannah is a hypertrophic cardiomyopathy patient, sudden cardiac arrest survivor and Bionic Babe (ICD recipient). From reaching the masses to taking the time to talk one on one, Hannah has shown she is big hearted in more ways than one.
Prof Vijay Kunadian
Professor of Interventional Cardiology, Newcastle University & Newcastle HospitalS, UK
Unite Annual Summit
About the Speaker
Prof Vijay Kunadian is a Professor of Interventional Cardiology holding a Personal Chair at Newcastle University and Honorary Academic Consultant Interventional Cardiologist Freeman Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK. Prof Kunadian completed all her cardiology and interventional cardiology training in the Northeast of England. She undertook an international academic fellowship in cardiology at the TIMI/PERFUSE Study group, Brigham and Women’s Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Boston MA. Prof Kunadian has an international reputation in interventional cardiology and cardiovascular research, making her a sought-after and respected speaker at prominent national and international meetings. She has championed diversity in her specialty as a role model; only 5% of interventional cardiologist are female in the UK, and 1% are clinical academics/researchers and the only female interventional cardiologist holding a University Personal Chair at present. She is a recipient of the UK Department of Health National Clinical Excellence Bronze Award. She is National Cardiovascular Specialty Group Lead, UK NIHR (National Institute for Health and Care Research) Research Delivery Network. She is the British Cardiovascular Intervention Society Research and Development Working Group National Lead and Council Member.
Jacqueline Lewis
Patient Advocate & Co-Chair of GHH’s Women & Heart Valve Disease Initiative, UK
About the Speaker
Jacqueline Lewis is a dedicated patient advocate and Co-Chair of Global Heart Hub’s Women & Heart Valve Disease Initiative. A mother of two and grandmother of five, Jacqueline has devoted her career to helping others, first as a nurse, and later in ethics and compliance within the pharmaceutical industry.
In June 2024, she underwent open-heart surgery to replace her bicuspid aortic valve, following years of misdiagnosis where her symptoms of shortness of breath and fatigue were misdiagnosed as anxiety and menopause. Her experience has fuelled her passion for advancing equity in women’s heart health care.
David Lloyd
CEO, National Heart Foundation of Australia and Vice President-Elect, World Heart Federation, Australia
Unite Annual Summit
About the Speaker
David Lloyd is CEO of the National Heart Foundation of Australia. He is concurrently a Board member and Vice President (Elect) of the World Heart Federation in Geneva; Chair of the Timor Leste Hearts Fund; and a board member of Momentum Triathlon Academy. Prior to joining the Heart Foundation, he served as founding CEO of the South Australian Immunogenomics Cancer Institute at the University of Adelaide, CEO of Jean Hailes for Women’s Health, Chief Operating Officer of the Baker Heart Research Institute and CEO of the University of Melbourne’s commercial subsidiaries Melbourne Enterprises International and Melbourne University Private. He is a keen but strictly amateur endurance sport enthusiast.
Risa Mallory
Independent Advocate Member of Canadian Women’s Heart Health Alliance, Affiliate of Global Heart Hub, Canada
Unite Annual Summit
About the Speaker
Risa is a retired psychotherapist from Canada. Over the past six years she has engaged with many motivated stakeholders, resulting in meaningful collaborations and partnerships to ensure that patients receive the highest quality of care. Risa collaborates with federal government agencies, a pioneering cardiac hospital and a pan-Canadian advocacy organisation to elevate the patient voice in healthcare policies and practices that support patient rights and access to care. She also serves on a Patient Advisory Board with a global pharmaceutical company, providing patient perspectives on matters that transcend conditions and diseases.
Joanna Markle
Patient Advocate, WomenHeart Champion, USA
Unite Annual Summit
About the Speaker
Joanna Markle is a heart attack survivor, patient advocate and 2025 WomenHeart Champion. After years of misdiagnosed symptoms, she survived a major cardiac event in January 2024 caused by a blockage in her LAD artery. During her journey to recovery, she discovered WomenHeart and became a passionate voice for women’s heart health and gender-specific care in cardiology.
Joanna shares her lived experience to advocate for better recognition and treatment of women’s cardiovascular symptoms. She is committed to raising awareness, amplifying women voices in healthcare and advancing support networks in her community. Professionally, Joanna is Director of Grant Activities at Westmoreland County Community College in Pennsylvania, where she leads federally funded workforce initiatives. Her career spans three decades in education, administration and consulting. Dedicated to WomenHeart’s mission in Southwest Pennsylvania, Joanna uses her extensive network across education, healthcare and civic leadership to promote advocacy, outreach and support. Joanna brings a powerful combination of professional expertise and personal resilience, with a goal of ensuring no woman’s heart symptoms are overlooked.
Dr Lilian Mbau
Executive Director, Centre for Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation, Kenya
About the Speaker
Dr Lilian Mbau MBChB, MPH, MSc. Prev. Cardio. is a Medical Doctor and Preventive Cardiology specialist with over 15 years’ experience in clinical care, strategic leadership, project management, research, advocacy and policy development. Dr Mbau is currently the Technical Advisor at the Centre for Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation but previously held the position of Chief Executive Officer at the Kenya Cardiac Society.
Following her Medical training from the University of Nairobi, she completed a Master’s degree in public health (MPH) from Moi University and a Master of Science in Preventive Cardiovascular Medicine from the University of South Wales. She holds a certification in Cardiac Rehabilitation from the University of Wisconsin and the International Council for Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation (ICCPR) and is a member of ICCPR and the Advocacy Committee of the World Heart Federation.
Dr Mbau’s passion is to provide a holistic approach to improving heart health and quality of life to patients with heart disease and those at risk. This includes promoting self-management by ensuring individuals are equipped with information to manage their health conditions in collaboration with their health providers, and can adopt healthy behaviours, adhere to their medication and perform their activities of daily living.
Dr Anastasia Mihailidou
Senior Hospital Scientist & Head of Cardiovascular and Hormonal Research North Shore Hospital & Kolling Institute, Australia
About the Speaker
Dr Anastasia S Mihailidou is a clinical scientist at Royal North Shore Hospital running the Cardiology Department Diagnostic Service for Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring. As Head of the Cardiovascular and Hormonal Research Laboratory, she engages in both biomedical and clinical research. Her leadership and contribution to the cardiovascular field is recognised both nationally and internationally, with invitations to speak and developing international consensus documents on blood pressure monitoring and editorial boards, including Associate Editor for the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology and Digital Strategy Editor for Hypertension.
The invitation to serve as a Lancet Commissioner recognises her clinical expertise in hypertension. The World Health Organisation also invited her as one of the “experts who participated in the Technical Advisory Group” to set the technical specifications for pre-market assessment of blood pressure measuring device with cuff, automated and semi-automated. She was a member of the Council on Hypertension of the European Society of Cardiology (2020-2024) as well as Executive Committee of the High Blood Pressure Research Council of Australia (HBPRCA) and Chair of the International Society of Hypertension Communications Committee. Her recent appointments are member of the Clinical Council Committee for Hypertension Australia as well as member of the Steering Committee for developing Australian Pediatric Guidelines for Hypertension management and Nucleus member of the Working Group “Hypertension in Women” of the European Society of Hypertension.
Dimple Natali
Associate Director, ACCESS Health International and Asia-Pacific Cardiovascular Disease Alliance, Singapore
About the Speaker
Dimple Natali is a senior health and strategic communications leader with over 20 years’ experience advancing partnerships, advocacy and policy change to improve health outcomes. As Program Lead for the Asia-Pacific Cardiovascular Disease Alliance, she collaborates with governments, healthcare professionals, patient groups and industry to address gaps in care and drive policy action. Her career spans global and regional roles in disease elimination, access to medicines and health systems strengthening. Committed to health equity, Dimple works to ensure that diverse voices and perspectives shape solutions for cardiovascular health across Asia-Pacific.
Christianah Oyeleye
Founder, The Congenital Heart Disease Foundation of Nigeria
Unite Annual Summit
About the Speaker
Annette Pompa
Patient Advocate, Co-Founder & President of International Heart Spasms Alliance USA
About the Speaker
Annette is the Co-Founder and current President of the International Heart Spasms Alliance (IHSA) and above all, a dedicated patient advocate committed to advancing research and clinical care in the cardiac field. She is a strong voice for those who often feel unheard, using her platform to champion greater awareness and change.
With a deep passion for education, Annette speaks and writes on a variety of heart health topics, with a particular focus on Angina and No Obstructive Coronary Arteries (ANOCA). As a patient herself, she has spent the past 14 years building support groups and developing patient education initiatives. Over that time, she has witnessed progress, from widespread misunderstanding to growing global recognition, yet she knows there is still much more to be done.
Annette’s mission is clear: to empower both patients and clinicians with the knowledge they need to stand together in the fight against the world’s leading cause of death cardiovascular disease.
Jackie Ratz
Founder of Canadian Women with Medical Heart Issues, HeartLife Foundation Champion and member of Canadian Women’s Heart Health Alliance, Canada
About the Speaker
Jarmila (Jackie) Ratz is a passionate heart health advocate whose personal journey with Heart Failure has fuelled a national impact. After facing her own unexpected diagnosis and navigating the gaps in women’s heart health care, Jackie transformed adversity into action, becoming a sought-after speaker, patient advisor and founder of Canadian Women with Medical Heart Issues, a peer-led support group with 1500 members. With a professional background in fashion buying and product development spanning two decades, Jackie brings strategic insight, communication skills and an unwavering dedication to her advocacy work. She has served in leadership roles with HeartLife Foundation, Heart and Stroke Canada and the Canadian Women’s Heart Health Alliance, where she co-chaired the Patient Advisory Committee and continues to influence research, education and policy. Jackie has presented at leading conferences including the Canadian Cardiovascular Congress, Heart Failure Update and Women’s Heart Health Summit, sharing her lived experience to drive change. Her story and advocacy have been recognised nationally with the King Charles III Coronation Medal for volunteer work with Heart and Stroke and the 2025 Advocacy Award from the Canadian Women’s Heart Health Alliance. Jackie’s mission is clear: to ensure that women’s cardiovascular experiences are seen, heard and acted upon, so no woman feels invisible in her heart journey.
Anita Sabidi
Patient Advocate, Diabetes Initiative Indonesia/ International Diabetes Federation, Indonesia
Unite Annual Summit
About the Speaker
Anita is a diabetes advocate with over 10 years of experience, driven by 27 years of living with Type 1 Diabetes, later diagnosed with cardiomyopathy and chronic kidney disease. She works to improve access to care, reduce stigma and amplify patient voices. Through collaboration with advocacy groups, health professionals and policymakers, she pushes for systemic change and support inclusive diabetes care, especially for women and young adults. Her mission is a world where everyone with diabetes can live freely, with respect, support and equal access to healthcare.
Abi-Gaye Smythe
Heart Health Advocate and Founder, I Have A Heart Foundation, Jamaica
Unite Annual Summit
About the Speaker
Driven by the heartbreaking loss of her mother to heart disease, her own diagnosis with a rare and progressive heart condition, Abi-Gaye Smythe became a passionate advocate for heart health. She founded the I Have A Heart Foundation in Jamaica to reduce heart disease-related deaths through prevention, awareness and support. Her purpose and passion are to outlive heart disease and help others do the same. Under her leadership, the foundation has influenced government policy, securing scholarships in Perfusion Medicine, with two awarded to date. Through ongoing blood drives, over 1,000 lives have been saved, while partnerships like the One Heart, One Love Mission have facilitated free life-saving heart surgeries for more than 50 patients. The foundation has also donated critical equipment to the University Hospital of the West Indies.
Abi-Gaye is a recipient of Jamaica’s Prime Minister’s Youth Award for Excellence in Nation Building, the nation’s highest honour for young leaders who have achieved eminent national and international distinction. Her work continues to change and save lives, one heart at a time.
Dr Anna Stavdal
Past president of World Organization of Family Doctors (WONCA) Europe, Norway
About the Speaker
Dr Anna Stavdal is a Family Doctor based in Oslo, Norway, where she has been providing care to patients since 1989. In addition to her clinical practice, she holds the position of Associate Professor at Oslo University, where she actively contributes to the education and training of future healthcare professionals. With primary areas of interest in health systems and the core values of family medicine, she is a passionate advocate for family medicine and primary care and actively engages in public debates, sharing her expertise through columns and speaking engagements. Dr Stavdal’s leadership roles within family medicine organisations since 1994 demonstrate her commitment to advancing the field on various levels. She has held influential positions in Norwegian, Nordic, European and global family medicine organisations. She assumed the prestigious position of President of the World Organisation of Family Doctors (WONCA) from November 2021. Since November 2023 she holds the office of Past President. Her role as the head of this global organisation underscores her ability to shape and guide initiatives that promote family medicine worldwide. Dr Stavdal holds an Honorary Doctorate at the University of Finland.
Caroline Verhage
Patient Advocate; Founder and Chair, Stichting VrouwenHart, Netherlands
Unite Annual Summit
About the Speaker
Caroline Verhage founded Stichting VrouwenHart after suffering a SCAD (Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection) heart attack in 2016, followed by open-heart surgery in 2017. VrouwenHart’s Mission, which translates to “Women’s Heart,” has been at the forefront of raising awareness about heart disease in women. Their mission is threefold: 1. Advocacy: Advocate for gender-specific research and work with researchers, ensuring that women’s unique cardiovascular needs are addressed comprehensively. 2. Education: Empower women with knowledge about heart health, risk factors and preventive measures. 3. Support: Provide a supportive community for women affected by heart conditions, fostering resilience and hope.
Dr Joe Vandigo
Vice President and Research Partner, Applied Patient Experience, LLC, USA
About the Speaker
Dr Joe Vandigo, MBA, PhD, is Vice President of Market Access and Value Strategy at Applied Patient Experience. His research is focused on the strategic application of patient experience data and stakeholder engagement in healthcare decision-making. Dr Vandigo earned his PhD in pharmaceutical health services research at the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, his MBA from the University of Louisiana at Monroe and his BS in finance from Southeastern Louisiana University.
Maria Walsh
Member of European Parliament (MEP), Ireland
About the Speaker
Originally elected in 2019 and re-elected in 2024, Maria Walsh is serving her second term as a Fine Gael MEP in the European Parliament. MEP Walsh represents the constituency of Midlands-Northwest which spans 15 counties across Ireland and is a member of the EPP Group in the European Parliament. MEP Walsh sits on the European Parliament’s Agricultural and Rural Development committee (AGRI) and the Women’s Rights and Gender Equality committee (FEMM) as a full member and is also a member of the Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) and Regional Development (REGI) committees. Her priorities include agriculture, regional development, women’s rights and mental health. She is a voice for farmers across the Midlands-North West, for women and young girls and for all those who need mental health support and services.
Stacy-Ann Walker
Patient Advocate, Canada
About the Speaker
Stacy-Ann Walker has been living with heart disease since her diagnosis in 2011. Her heart valve disease went undiagnosed for many years because she was young, active and did not “look” like someone with cardiovascular disease. That changed during her 3rd trimester of pregnancy when both Stacy and her unborn daughter required lifesaving interventions due to heart failure and other complications. Stacy’s daughter, Ashley, was born prematurely weighing 2lbs 12oz. Shortly after giving birth Stacy went into respiratory distress and was treated and officially diagnosed with Rheumatic Heart disease. Since then, she has had 3 open heart surgeries to repair and/or replace her mitral, aortic and tricuspid valves. Today both mother and daughter are healthy and Stacy shares her experience to bring awareness to women’s heart health and black maternal mortality issues in the United States.
Prof Linda Worrall-Carter
Founder and Director Her Heart, Australia
About the Speaker
Prof Linda Worrall-Carter is the Founder, Director and CEO of Her Heart, Australia’s NFP and Peak Body for Cardiovascular Disease in women. She is a prominent figure in the field of Cardiovascular Health for Women, with a national and international background encompassing Cardiovascular Research, leadership, entrepreneurship and advocacy. Prof Worrall-Carter has held significant roles such as Inaugural Foundation Director of three Research Centres and held positions as Chair of various boards and steering committees. With over 25 years in health and 15 years of experience in heart disease research, Linda has secured more than $12 million in funding, authored more than 100 publications and 160 conference papers.
Prof Worrall-Carter’s advocacy centres around equality, diversity and innovation in the health industry and is deeply committed to rectifying the disparities in heart disease for women compared to men. She is a social entrepreneur and activist and for her work she has received awards including Telstra Businesswoman of the Year award in 2019 (Social Enterprise category), National Female Entrepreneur Award and the Casey Kinnaird Community Award.
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