Cass Wheeler, former long-time chief executive officer of the American Heart Association, has died. He was one month short of this 85th birthday. Wheeler had been in hospice care for a neurodegenerative illness. He was a resident of Georgetown, Texas.
Wheeler led the American Heart Association’s professional staff from 1997 until his retirement in 2008, capping a 35-year tenure with the organization. His leadership marked a transformational era for the American Heart Association, guiding the nonprofit to dramatically expand its global influence in public health, cardiovascular science, fundraising and community engagement.
Wheeler completed the organizational consolidation of individual state and metropolitan affiliates into 15 streamlined geographic operating affiliates, adopting a more unified corporate structure that enhanced the American Heart Association’s effectiveness and impact. Under Wheeler’s leadership, the organization launched the groundbreaking “Go Red for Women” campaign, raising worldwide awareness of the impact of heart disease on women and began the American Stroke Association, a division started in 1998 dedicated to reducing disability and death from stroke.
Wheeler led the development of the Get With The Guidelines initiative to improve the overall quality of cardiovascular care in hospitals, the Alliance for a Healthier Generation in partnership with the William J. Clinton Foundation to combat childhood obesity, and the American Heat Association’s school-based programs teaching children the importance of heart health and philanthropy.
“Cass Wheeler was more than a leader. He was a mentor, a dear friend, and a relentless champion for every person at risk of cardiovascular disease,” said Nancy Brown, CEO of the American Heart Association. “He believed deeply in the power of purpose, and he inspired generations of staff and volunteers to push beyond boundaries. I would not be where I am today without his guidance and belief in me. His legacy lives in the millions of lives touched by the work he helped build.”
Said H. Art Taylor, president and chief executive officer of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, “We have lost an exceptional leader and dear friend in Cass Wheeler. I first met Cass in 2001 when we served together on the board of Independent Sector, where despite his extensive experience, he graciously let me ‘show him the ropes,’ a gesture that blossomed into a close friendship.”
According to Taylor, “Cass was a visionary collaborator who understood that the greatest challenges required united action. He exemplified this when he joined forces with the CEOs of the American Diabetes Association and the American Cancer Society to elevate the smoking cessation movement, and when he championed the bold goal of reducing deaths from heart attack and stroke by 25% over 10 years requiring multidisciplinary collaboration, a target the American Heart Association achieved under his leadership.”
Wheeler joined what was then the Texas Affiliate of American Heart Association in 1973 and steadily rose through the staff ranks, known for his humility and hands-on leadership style. After retiring, he remained active as a speaker, consultant and author, sharing lessons from his career in his book You’ve Got to Have Heart: Achieving Purpose Beyond Profit in the Social Sector. Despite recent health challenges, Wheeler remained engaged with American Heart Association’s leadership. He helped celebrate the organization’s centennial in Chicago last year.
Wheeler was a leader on many nonprofit boards and commissions. He was the co-convener of the Panel on the Nonprofit Sector, formed by the U.S. Senate Finance Committee to enhance governance in charities, a member of the Commission on Improving Economic Opportunity in Communities Dependent on Tobacco Production appointed by then President William J. Clinton, and served on the boards of National Human Services Assembly, Partnership for Prevention, Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, Research!America, National Health Council, American Legacy Foundation, National Council on Aging, and the Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance. He was selected three times, 2006, 2007 and 2008, for the annual The NonProfit Times’ Power & Influence Top 50, the 50 most influential working executives.
He was also involved with United Way Worldwide’s Leadership 18. Brian Gallagher was chief executive officer of United Way Worldwide while Wheeler was involved with Leadership 18. “Cass was one of the classiest people I ever knew; an elegant man. He was warm, smart, effective, and completely purpose-driven,” said Gallagher. “The world and the sector have lost a great one.”
A memorial service is being planned, and details will be shared by the family when available. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the American Heart Association in honor of Cass Wheeler’s lifelong dedication to building health and hope, for everyone everywhere.
