American Heart Association

Lisa Wheeler-Cooper brings over 25 years of expertise in marketing and development to her role as Executive Director of the Northeast Ohio American Heart Association, serving the communities of Akron, Canton, and Youngstown.

A passionate advocate for health equity, Lisa was honored with the Ohio Commission on Minority Health’s Shero Award in recognition of her unwavering commitment to eliminating health disparities in underserved populations. Her dedication to wellness is deeply personal—shaped by the premature loss of her parents and the impact of chronic illnesses on loved ones throughout her life.

Lisa firmly believes that every individual deserves equitable access to high-quality health care and supportive services. She holds a degree from Kent State University and earned a Diversity and Inclusion Certificate from Cornell University. She is also a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., a Founding Lifetime Member of ATHENA Akron and a member Leadership Akron’s Signature Class 41.