American Heart Association names Megan Starr Central Valley executive director

The American Heart Association named Megan Starr its Central Valley executive director on Aug. 3, placing her in charge of local efforts to advance heart and brain health and improve health outcomes across the region. In Fresno County, where cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity, access to care and health education remain stubborn problems, the appointment carries real local weight.

AHA materials identify Starr as executive director for the American Heart Association - Central Valley. The role puts her at the center of the organization’s outreach, advocacy, fundraising and community engagement across Fresno and surrounding counties, where hospitals, schools, clinics, nonprofits and employers all factor into how prevention work reaches families.

The announcement was shared across the organization’s California network. AHA California congratulated Starr on Aug. 3 on X, and the American Heart Association Northern California page also posted a message recognizing her promotion.

For Fresno County residents, the significance is tied to the region’s health gaps as much as to the title itself. Income, transportation and food access shape whether families can get screened, follow treatment plans and take part in health education. The Central Valley also has a large agricultural and working-class population, which makes local outreach especially important for people balancing long work hours, chronic conditions and limited access to care.

The American Heart Association has already built a visible Central Valley presence through its Heart and Stroke Walk campaign. A Sept. 26, 2024 Tesoro Viejo blog post said the 2024 Central Valley Heart and Stroke Walk was scheduled for Sept. 28, 2024 in Madera. An AHA local-news release published April 28, 2025 said a Merced healthcare leader would chair the 2025 Central Valley Heart and Stroke Walk, which was set to culminate on Oct. 25, 2025 in Madera.

That local footprint makes Starr’s post more than an internal promotion. It places a named executive in charge of a region where the association’s prevention campaigns, CPR training, research messaging and policy advocacy already have community reach, and where Madera, Fresno and Merced are all part of the same health conversation.

With Starr leading the Central Valley office, the American Heart Association is keeping its focus on a region that has long needed more screenings, more education and stronger partnerships to improve heart and stroke outcomes.