She will work alongside current MHI CEO Al Voss to ensure continuity of leadership while supporting long-term growth and sustainability across the organization’s multi-entity structure.
LEESBURG, Ga.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–The Mended Hearts, Inc. (MHI) has appointed Natalie Crawford as executive director effective January 1, 2026, as part of a carefully planned leadership transition designed to ensure continuity, stability and long-term growth.
Crawford will work closely with MHI CEO Al Voss throughout a one-year transition period, during which she will undergo a structured training process and progressively assume leadership responsibilities. At the conclusion of the transition, MHI expects that Crawford will be promoted into the role of CEO, at which time the executive director position will be dissolved. At that point, MHI anticipates that Mr. Voss will step down from his day to day responsibilities as CEO, although he will remain involved supporting MHI’s mission and operations in an advisory capacity.
“This leadership transition has been deliberately planned for well over three years,” Voss said. “Natalie will receive comprehensive training across every aspect of the organization, from MHI’s history and culture to chapter and group operations, finances, strategic priorities, performance metrics and more, setting her up for success as MHI anticipates promoting her into the CEO role at the end of 2026.”
In her new role, Crawford will work closely with the MHI leadership team and staff to ensure the organization’s mission is delivered with consistency, integrity and impact.
“MHI is a legacy organization with deep credibility, an extraordinary volunteer community and a mission that directly serves patients and families at times when they need it most,” Crawford said. “I knew this transition felt right when I saw how perfectly the organization’s emphasis on patient support, education and advocacy aligns with my core values.”
Prior to joining MHI, Crawford built a career launching, building and leading mission-driven organizations at moments of scale and transition. Most recently, she founded Georgia First, a nonprofit policy think tank and advocacy organization focused on healthcare-supporting, economic opportunity and democratic governance. She currently serves on the Georgia Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors as well as the Gentreo Advisory Board.
Additionally, Crawford has worked in senior revenue and strategic leadership positions in healthcare-adjacent, fintech and early-stage growth environments, advising founders and executive teams on go-to-market strategy, partnerships, revenue growth and scaling operations.
Early in her career, she was elected to serve two terms on the Habersham (Georgia) County Commission, giving her firsthand experience in public-sector leadership, healthcare systems and community-based decision-making.
“I am thrilled this role allows me to combine mission-driven leadership with operational discipline and collaboration,” Crawford said. “I am also deeply honored to join this incredible culture and work, and I look forward to learning from the entire MHI community over the next year as I prepare to support all that MHI does for patients and caregivers.”
Voss noted that Crawford was selected for the executive director role after interviewing 13 candidates over more than three years, using a referral-based process rather than a search firm. The executive director position was previously dissolved and was reestablished specifically for this transition period.
“This is a disciplined, intentional transition plan to support continuity of leadership and mission within MHI,” Voss said. “Natalie has clear monthly training goals and expectations, and I fully expect her to be successful in her new role.”
About The Mended Hearts, Inc.
The Mended Hearts, Inc. (MHI) is the world’s largest peer-to-peer cardiovascular patient support network with more than 130,000 members residing in 73 countries. Founded in 1951 and incorporated in 1955, MHI’s mission is “to inspire hope and improve the quality of life of cardiovascular disease patients and their families through ongoing peer-to-peer support, education and advocacy.”
MHI’s three programs — Mended Little Hearts®, Young Mended Hearts®, and Mended Hearts® — make MHI the only organization in the world that supports patients with all forms of cardiovascular diseases throughout a patient’s entire lifespan.
MHI volunteers personally inspire, educate and empower nearly 400,000 patients and family members in-person each year through a robust network of members who provide services and outreach in 643 hospitals, plus cardiology offices, clinics, cardiac rehab centers and local communities. MHI’s support reaches another 11+ million individuals each year through social media channels, blogs, web pages and outreach.
Beyond peer support, MHI serves as a trusted provider of patient education and resources, including HeartGuide® patient and parent resource guides, interactive GoToGuides, trifold discussion guides, videos, webinars, Heartbeat® magazine, and regional meetings and educational conferences.
Expanding on the ongoing efforts to empower patient and family voices, MHI created the ACTION NETWORK® to bring together a community of patients, families, caregivers and researchers dedicated to advocating for those living with cardiovascular disease.
MHI is the only organization in the world that provides support throughout a patient’s entire lifespan. It serves patients of all ages who live with heart disease, stroke, cancer, kidney disease, diabetes, obesity and depression.
For more information, visit mendedhearts.org and mendedheartseurope.org.
Contacts
Media Contact:
A.R. Voss
CEO, The Mended Hearts, Inc.
+1 888 432 7899
[email protected]
