American Heart Association names three new Syracuse–area advisory board members

SYRACUSE — The American Heart Association announced it has named three local leaders to its Syracuse–area advisory board. These volunteers started their board term just as the group was recognized at the national level by the American Heart Association. The new local board members are:

Gwen Crossett — Crossett is CEO and founder of ConstantCare247, which offers comprehensive in-home care, nursing services, and skilled personal-care services. Crossett is a registered nurse with more than 20 years of experience. She will also serve as the Giving Society Ambassador as part of her role on the American Heart Association advisory board.

Lekia Hill — Hill is the branch and community development manager for Community Bank, N.A. in the Syracuse region. She also serves as the lead consultant for Lekia Tech LLC and is the founder of the civic tech-based ecosystem application Powerful Voices App. Hill has dedicated her time to several community organizations over the last two decades, including the YWCA of Syracuse & Onondaga County and the Community Foundation’s Black Excellence & Equity Council.

Vanessa Szwejbka — Szwejbka is the community relations manager and executive director of the AmeriCU Charitable Foundation. In her role, she focuses on expanding the foundation’s reach and strengthening partnerships with local organizations. Szwebjka spent 15 years in broadcasting as a meteorologist before transitioning to community relations. “The American Heart Association has a mission to save lives, but we can’t do that without volunteers,” Heather Evans, executive director of the American Heart Association in Central New York, said in the announcement. “The Syracuse advisory board is a group of dedicated local leaders that is truly making a difference in the health of our community.”   The new members join an award-winning advisory board. The Syracuse–area advisory board has been honored with the national Gold Standard Board designation from the American Heart Association 12 times since 2012. The board was recently recognized again at the silver level.