American Heart Association’s Announces Woman of Impact and Teen of Impact winners lead change through fundraising and philanthropy.
Two area individuals have successfully channeled their energy and passion to build a healthier Tampa Bay and raise critical dollars to help fund the lifesaving work of the American Heart Association, earning them recognition from the organization. Laura Pemble is the 2026 Tampa Bay Woman of Impact winner. Teen of Impact winner Leonardo Oliveira has been named this year’s 2026 Tampa Bay Teen of Impact winner.
The Woman of Impact and Teen of Impact campaigns launched on National Wear Red Day®, Friday, Feb. 6. Collectively, this year’s Tampa Bay nominees brought together champions from within their networks to form Impact teams, educated 125 people in CPR, learned and shared the importance of both mental and physical health, and raised $472,148 to support the vital work of the American Heart Association.
“It was important for me to participate in Woman of Impact because my mom was diagnosed with peripartum cardiomyopathy and later faced congestive heart failure—a journey that changed our lives forever, and her strength and resilience inspire me every day to advocate for women’s heart health,” said Pemble. “I am honored to have received this recognition and am excited to continue working alongside the American Heart Association and Go Red for Women to help more women know their risk factors and get the support they need to live longer, healthier lives.”
The 2026 Teen of Impact campaign winner Leonardo Oliveria, a Junior at Berkley Preparatory School. “My commitment to this mission runs deep, with strong roots in my family,” said Oliveria. “My dad is a cardiologist and received research funding from the AHA early in his career. My mom, a former cardiac nurse, has always emphasized the importance of community involvement and giving back. My work with the American Heart Association will not stop here. I’m passionate about ensuring my friends and family are inspired to live heart healthy.”
10 nominees competed in the Heart Association’s Woman of Impact™ and Teen of Impact™ campaigns in Tampa Bay. Each nominee supported the Heart Association in its fight against the nation’s No. 1 health threat, CVD. The Woman of Impact campaign, part of the Heart Association’s Go Red for Women® movement, specifically focuses on improving women’s health, while Teen of Impact focuses on empowering the next generation to change the trajectory of heart health for their generation.
“Laura and Leonardo embody a remarkable multigenerational legacy of leadership in cardiovascular health, with both families demonstrating a sustained and deeply rooted commitment to advancing the mission of the American Heart Association,” said Nina Morgan, the executive director of the American Heart Association in Tampa Bay. “Through their efforts and engagement in this competition, they are helping to drive meaningful and lifesaving impact in Tampa Bay and beyond, fueling longer, healthier lives.”
Local Woman of Impact nominees included:
Paola Bianchi Delp, Chief Executive Officer, The Bianchi Group
Lauren Mayhem, DJ/Singer, Actress, & Content Creator
Sharon Ryan, APRN Internal Medicine, BayCare Health System
Local Teen of Impact nominees included:
Olivia Abiose
Jeremiyah Shepheard
Peter Smalley
Ava Snyder
Sophia Taveras
To learn more about the
Heart Association in Tampa Bay,
contact [email protected].
