Greater Washington Region Leadership

Welcome to An Affair of the Heart 2026! This year marks our 78^th annual luncheon and fashion show. Our fundraising event is the oldest, continuous fundraising event of any nationally recognized non-profit group. Proceeds from An Affair of the Heart go directly toward our Women’s Board mission: to raise funds for vital cardiovascular research. The research grants we fund aim to prevent and treat heart disease—our nation’s largest health threat. Grantees are selected from nationally recognized institutions such as the University of Virginia, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Virginia Tech, and West Virginia University Research Corporation. At our luncheon, we honor the grant recipients from the previous year.

We invite you to join us this year at the beautiful Marriott Marquis, in Washington DC, for a fun afternoon combining our love for fashion and fundraising! Our fashion show is produced by Bloomingdale’s Chevy Chase, and features a preview of designer fashions for Spring 2026. Diptyque of Georgetown has graciously sponsored our table gifts and our silent auction has an array of unique and memorable items you won’t want to miss! Please use the link below to purchase your ticket or to make a donation. Together our efforts to fund today’s research will become tomorrow’s advances to improve cardiac health.

With heart,
Stacie Kotter, Chair of the Women’s Board of the American Heart Association
Michelle LaBelle, Vice-chair of the Women’s Board of the American Heart Association

OFFICERS

Chair
Mrs. Stacie Kotter

Vice Chair
Mrs. Michelle LaBelle

Recording Secretary
Mrs. Jennifer Najar

Assistant Recording Secretary
Mrs. Kara Walsh

Corresponding Secretary
Mrs. Christy Sporidis

Assistant Corresponding Secretary
Mrs. Katie Sanson

Treasurer
Mrs. Benita Stokes

Parliamentarian
Mrs. Nell Shapiro

Historian
Mrs. Mimi Lawless

Immediate Past Chairman
Mrs. Nell Shapiro

COMMITTEES

Membership
Mrs. Kristi Bryan

Service
Mrs. Christina Traecy

Hospitality
Mrs. V. Jennifer Mastran

2026 Luncheon Co-Chairs

Cardiac Physician Advisor
Dr. Garima Sharma