The American Heart Association proudly recognizes Kathy LeClair for her extraordinary advocacy and leadership in support of the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women® campaign, where her voice and personal story are helping to change how women understand and respond to heart disease.
Kathy’s work with the American Heart Association creates critical awareness around heart disease in women—the leading cause of death among women in the United States. Her willingness to share her personal health journey is both powerful and transformative, reminding women that heart disease does not always present in expected ways and that self-advocacy can be lifesaving.
A seasoned banking executive and Director of Healthcare Banking at Ledyard Bank, Kathy’s journey into advocacy began with unexplained dizziness, heart palpitations, and near-fainting episodes—symptoms she initially attributed to stress. It was later discovered that these episodes were caused by a serious heart rhythm disorder linked to radiation therapy she had received decades earlier as part of successful breast cancer treatment.
Despite being in excellent physical shape and leading a demanding professional life, Kathy learned firsthand how easily women’s cardiac symptoms can be overlooked or misunderstood. Her experience underscores a vital message of the Go Red for Women campaign: women must know their bodies, trust their instincts, and advocate for their health.
Through her involvement with Go Red for Women, Kathy is using her story to educate others about the long-term cardiovascular risks some women face and to encourage earlier recognition and intervention. She serves on the New Hampshire Go Red for Women board and has been named a 2026 New Hampshire Woman of Impact, a distinction that honors leaders who are raising both awareness and funds to fight heart disease in women.
“Being part of Go Red for Women is so meaningful because every story shared has the power to help another woman,” Kathy has said. “If my experience helps even one person ask the right question or seek care sooner, it’s worth it.”
We are incredibly proud of Kathy for her courage, leadership, and commitment to improving women’s heart health. Her advocacy not only educates—it resonates. By sharing her story, Kathy is helping to shift perceptions, spark conversations, and inspire women across our communities to take charge of their heart health.
The Go Red for Women campaign continues through April, with a kickoff luncheon scheduled for February 12 at the Grappone Conference Center in Concord, NH, bringing together leaders, advocates, and survivors dedicated to advancing women’s cardiovascular health.
About Go Red for Women®
For more than two decades, the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women® initiative has been dedicated to increasing women’s heart health awareness and improving the lives of women through research, education, and advocacy.
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