JLL’s Riguardi returns as American Heart Association chairman, sets $600,000 fundraising goal

Manhattan, NY Peter Riguardi, chairman and president, New York region of JLL, will serve a second year of leadership with the American Heart Association as the Executives with Heart Chair for the New York City Wall Street Run & Heart Walk, and CycleNation.

Executives with Heart is an initiative of the American Heart Association that unites corporate leaders to prioritize the physical and mental well-being of employees, families and communities. Participants support fundraising and promote a culture of health with the aim of raising awareness and advancing life-saving cardiovascular research and education.

“I’m proud to continue this work for a second year alongside the American Heart Association and our fellow leaders across New York,” Riguardi said. “Executives with Heart is about building healthier workplaces and supporting our communities. By showing up, fundraising and learning life-saving skills like CPR, we can help create a city where more people have the knowledge and resources to respond in a crisis.”

Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of death in New York City and JLL’s participation in the campaign plays a vital role in advancing the Association’s Nation of Lifesavers initiative, a national effort aimed at doubling cardiac arrest survival rates by 2030. The goal is to turn bystanders into lifesavers, so that in a cardiac emergency anyone, anywhere is prepared and empowered to become a vital link in the chain of survival and provide high-quality CPR and use an automated external defibrillator (AED).

For the Wall Street Run and CycleNation events, Riguardi has mobilized companies, organizations and JLL employees, who have rallied behind the effort by organizing bi-weekly office fundraisers, hosting CPR training and participating in broader initiatives, including the Wall Street Run & Heart Walk and New York City CycleNation events.

An Executive Leadership Team that includes Keith Piro, director of workplace experience; Clark Finney, executive managing director; and Lindsay Ornstein, co-founder, OPEN Impact Real Estate; JLL’s WBE partner, is coordinating this year’s CycleNation event, a high-energy, experiential, stationary bike event that engages companies in the mission of the American Stroke Association and American Heart Association. It will take place at the Terminal Warehouse, 261 11^th Ave. on March 12 at 5 p.m. 

Last year, Piro led JLL’s CycleNation team to raise $100,000 for the Association, earning the 2025 Top Fundraising Company award. Building on that momentum, Piro has doubled the fundraising goal for the event to $200,000 for 2026.

Piro, who this year serves as co-chair of the Executive Leadership Team, said, “Last year showed what’s possible when the business community comes together with a shared purpose. We’re focused on going even further this year by getting even more people on board to support measurable progress for heart health and health equity across New York City.”

The American Heart Association Wall Street Run & Heart Walk will take place in Downtown Manhattan on May 14 with hundreds of JLLers participating as part of an effort to raise an additional $100,000. Through its employee matching gift program, JLL doubles funds raised by full-time employees in support of the Association.

Meg Gilmartin, region senior vice president and executive director of development & community health for the American Heart Association in New York City, said, “Peter Riguardi’s passion for the American Heart Association’s mission and his dedication to the communities we serve make him the ideal leader as the Executive with Heart chair for the Wall Street Run & Heart Walk and CycleNation. Last year, Peter’s passion and leadership helped our campaign reach new heights, and we’re deeply thankful to continue walking beside him and everyone at JLL as we strive to make an even greater impact.”

For more information or to get involved in any of the events mentioned here, visit www.heart.org or contact the American Heart Association at 212-878-5900.