News
August 23, 2023Brian O’Grady to Chair Capital Region Heart Ball in Association’s Centennial Year
Brian O’Grady, president of health plan markets for CDPHP®, has signed on to chair the 2024 Capital Region Heart Ball on Friday, February 9, 2024 at the Albany Capital Center.
Having spent the entirety of his career in the health care industry, O’Grady has a keen understanding of the importance of heart health. As a husband and father of two daughters, O’Grady prioritizes exercise and healthy eating for himself and his family. Brian is a longtime volunteer for the American Heart Association, serving on the board of directors, participating on various leadership teams for Heart Association events, and chairing two local Heart Walks.
As the 2024 Heart Ball Chair, O’Grady has formed an impressive Executive Leadership Team to spearhead fundraising efforts. Members include:
- Rebecca Atwell, National Grid
- Carm Basile, CDTA
- Michael Castellana, Broadview Federal Credit Union
- Peter Connolly, The Mercedes Benz Center at Keeler Motor Car Company
- Carrie Hillenbrandt, BBL Construction
- Jaime Kazlo, CDTA
- Kathy Lanni, Broadview Federal Credit Union
- Paul Madelone, The Esslie Group
- John Nigro, Nigro Companies
- Brian Sano, National Grid
- Peter Semenza, St. Peter’s Health Partners
- Mandeep Sidhu, M.D., Albany Med Health System
- Casey Toomajian, Hometown Health Care
“At CDPHP, we aim to build stronger, healthier communities, which is directly aligned with the goals of the American Heart Association,” O’Grady said. “When I think about my role in my family, the emphasis I put on heart health cannot be understated. To continue showing up for them and for CDPHP, exercise and a healthy diet are part of my everyday routine. I look forward to working alongside the Executive Leadership Team and the American Heart Association to make the 2024 Heart Ball the very best yet.”
2024 marks the 100th anniversary of the founding of the American Heart Association. Emphasizing the Association’s commitment to ending health disparities, the Heart Ball campaign will focus on nutrition security.
CDPHP and the American Heart Association will work with a community-based organization to provide four food discovery experiences that could include cooking classes, grocery store field trips, healthy food tastings, and well-being workshops to increase food literacy; raise awareness about programs to improve nutrition in the Capital Region; and conduct a food drive.
At the 2024 Heart Ball, the Donald Led Duke Heart Hero Award will be presented to a member of our community, in addition to hearing from a survivor and the opportunity to participate in silent and live auctions.
“As the Heart Association moves into our second century, we are so glad that Brian is chairing our first event of the year,” said Kaweeda Adams, chair of the board of directors of the American Heart Association in the Capital Region. “He and CDPHP are longtime supporters of the association, and by supporting the fight for nutrition security in our community, we will be putting the mission into action, and improving lives.”
