Six Quad Citians will join a group of 11 Iowa women leaders to take on the fight to end heart disease as part of American Heart Month in February.
The American Heart Association announced the Iowa group is joining the national Woman of Impact initiative to raise awareness about women’s No. 1 killer and raise funds that will work to end cardiovascular disease (CVD). Through the Go Red for Women movement, the Woman of Impact program seeks to improve women’s heart health, address clinical care gaps and raise funds for cardiovascular research and education. 
The Woman of Impact class began their fundraising campaigns Friday, Feb. 6, on National Wear Red Day. They will compete with nominees locally and across the nation to raise funds to advance the work of the American Heart Association.
Iowa’s 2026 Woman of Impact nominees are:
- Quad Cities region – Alexis Ashton, project engineer II mechanical, Baker Group; Jasline Bahia, director Inter-Plan Programs & Strategy/Inter-Plan Executive, Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield; Deanna Woodall, founder & CEO, Event Solutions Group; Realtor Jolean Overton-Austin, Ruhl&Ruhl Realtors; Miss Clinton County Sarah Gibson; and Miss Iowa Lydia Fisher.
- Cedar Rapids – Jennifer Maxwell, owner/designer, Leigh Maxwell Jewelry; Julie Herzog, strategic development consultant, TrueNorth Companies; and Kimberly Bartee, community advocate and caregiver.
- Des Moines – Melissa Merrifield, Fractional CMO and founder, Caffeinated Conversations; and Realtor Lucrezia Moore, Iowa Realty.
According to data from the association, nearly 45% of women over the age of 20 are living with some form of (CVD). As a woman ages, her risk for CVD changes. Still, more than 80% of heart attacks and strokes are preventable.
Go Red for Women is committed to meeting the needs of women in every age, stage and season of life.
Woman of Impact nominees will dedicate nine weeks to transforming the health of women in their communities through education and fundraising. Each week, nominees participate in activities designed to create a culture of wellness and advance health and hope for everyone, everywhere.
Nominees also raise critical funds for the American Heart Association so that more women have an opportunity to live a longer and healthier life.
The competition will wrap up Thursday, April 9. The nominee raising the most lifesaving funds will be named their city’s 2026 Woman of Impact Winner. In addition to local market winners, the woman who raised the most nationwide, will be named the National Woman of Impact Winner.
To learn more about the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women movement, visit here.
