The Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation has announced the retirement of Mary M. Newman, MS, from her role as President and CEO. Newman, who co-founded the Foundation in 2005, will continue to oversee its Cardiac Arrest Survivor Alliance (CASA), an online community supporting individuals impacted by cardiac arrest.
With a master’s degree in nonprofit management and a bachelor’s degree in healthcare planning and administration, Newman has devoted her career to the prevention and treatment of sudden cardiac arrest.
Some of her key accomplishments at SCAF include leading the creation of CASA and co-founding the national “Call.Push.Shock” movement.
Her previous roles include serving as Executive Director of the National Center for Early Defibrillation at the University of Pittsburgh and as faculty in its Department of Emergency Medicine, and serving as Research Coordinator for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest studies at the Krannert Institute of Cardiology, Indiana University School of Medicine.
Notably, Newman created the “Chain of Survival” metaphor in 1989, a framework later adopted by the American Heart Association (AHA) and organizations worldwide to educate the public on critical lifesaving actions during cardiac emergencies. In 2021, she was recognized as the AHA's Resuscitation Champion of the Year.
Gina Peattie, MPA, will succeed Newman as Executive Director. Peattie holds a master’s degree in public administration with a focus on nonprofit management and a bachelor’s degree in sociology. With over 20 years of experience in nonprofit leadership, she brings expertise in operations, program development, fundraising, marketing, outreach, and education.
Peattie's prior roles include serving as Executive Director at the Children’s Cardiomyopathy Foundation, Deputy Director at the New York State Coalition Against Domestic Violence, and Project Director of the Concussion Awareness Now coalition at the Brain Injury Association of America.
“As we approach the Foundation’s 20th anniversary, I am honored to pass the torch to Gina Peattie,” said Newman. “I am confident she will further our mission to eliminate preventable death and disability caused by sudden cardiac arrest.”
Peattie expressed her enthusiasm, saying, “I am grateful for the opportunity to join the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation team and advance its critical work. Together, we will raise awareness, promote education, help save lives, and support survivors.”
“The Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation is embarking on a new chapter as our esteemed founder, Mary Newman, retires from her role as President & CEO. Mary’s visionary leadership and groundbreaking contributions to the field of sudden cardiac arrest are unparalleled. We are deeply grateful that she will continue to lend her expertise to the Foundation by managing our flagship initiative, the Cardiac Arrest Survival Alliance,” said Dr. Joseph P. Farrell, Chair of the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation.
“We are thrilled to welcome our new Executive Director, Gina Peattie, who brings two decades of nonprofit experience, with many years focused on cardiac health,” he continued. “Gina’s proven leadership, strategic program development, and exceptional business and networking acumen position her to guide the Foundation toward new heights of awareness and impact. The Board of Directors looks forward to collaborating with Gina to expand our mission, strengthen our role as the most trusted resource for information, and improve survival rates for sudden cardiac arrest.”
SOURCE: Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation