Each year, Women in Retail Leadership Circle (WIRLC) selects a Nonprofit of the Year whose mission aligns with our values and the women we serve. For 2026, we’re honored to announce the American Heart Association (AHA) as our Nonprofit of the Year. AHA is an organization at the forefront of the fight against heart disease and stroke, and a powerful advocate for women’s health.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death among women, yet many women are unaware of their personal risk or the unique ways heart disease presents in women. The AHA is working to change that through groundbreaking research, education, prevention programs, and advocacy efforts that improve outcomes and save lives. Its commitment to advancing heart health, especially for women, reflects the same purpose-driven leadership we champion within the Women in Retail Leadership Circle community.

With February designated as American Heart Month, this announcement is especially meaningful. It’s a time to elevate awareness, encourage proactive heart health, and bring attention to the disparities women continue to face in diagnosis, treatment and care. By spotlighting the AHA during Heart Month and throughout the year, WIRLC is proud to help amplify critical conversations around prevention, wellness, and long-term health for women at every stage of life and leadership.

Throughout the year, members will have opportunities to learn more about the AHA’s work, engage with its representatives at select WIRLC events, and explore ways to support its life-saving mission. We’re grateful to align our community with an organization creating lasting impact — because empowering women leaders also means supporting the health and well-being that allows them to lead, thrive and build a better future.