The 2017 #DCHeartWalk Executives with Heart Kickoff Reception was held Sept. 19 at the Tower Club. The evening included remarks from the 2017 Heart Walk chair as well as this year’s Executives with Heart co-chairs. Shown: Rob Franklin, with MorganFranklin and Goodseeker.com's, and the chairman of the American Heart Association board of directors; PwC's and former AHA Chair Sean Ballington; CenturyLink's and the 2017 Heart Walk Chair Erich Sanchack; the American Heart Association's Soula Antoniou; and Ciena's Jeff Verrant.

A local survivor, Kelly DiMaggio, shared her personal experience with congenital heart disease and thriving in adulthood. Here, Mike DiMaggio joins Paul Reed Smith and Kelly, who works for UBS Financial. The goal of the Executives with Heart campaign is to raise $500K to fund the mission of the American Heart Association by engaging over 100 local executives to personally donate or raise $5K in a citywide challenge. The campaign culminates at the #DCHeartWalk Nov. 4 on the National Mall.