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Woodforest National Bank’s SVP Healthcare Banking Manager takes the helm to save lives in Montgomery County

By American Heart Association | September 27, 2024

Keaton Kainer, senior vice president healthcare banking manager of Woodforest National Bank, will lead the charge as the 2024 American Heart Association Heart Walk Chair to build a community of lifesavers in Montgomery County. Under Kainer’s leadership, top executives throughout the Woodlands will unite to recruit companies and organizations to join the Heart Walk, a year-round campaign aimed at raising funds to fight cardiovascular disease while equipping people with the education, knowledge and resources to act in the face of a cardiac emergency by learning CPR.

*Keaton Kainer mobilizes corporate leaders in Montgomery County to build community of lifesavers as chair of American Heart Association Heart Walk; Photo courtesy AHA*

The American Heart Association, celebrating 100 years of lifesaving service in 2024, has put a spotlight on CPR education as a critical element of the Heart Walk campaign. According to the Association, nine out of 10 people who suffer cardiac arrest outside of a hospital die[1] yet immediate CPR can double or even triple the chances of survival[2]. Kainer and a team of top executive leaders are committed to ensuring that more people in Mongomery County are prepared to respond effectively in these life-or-death situations.

“The Heart Walk gives Montgomery County residents and employees an extraordinary opportunity to address a critical issue in our community” said Kellie Armstrong, executive director and regional vice president, Gulf Coast. Cardiac arrest can strike anyone, anywhere, and the difference between life and death often hinges on the quick actions of a bystander. Through the Heart Walk, we are not just raising funds; we are raising awareness, enhancing CPR training, and building a network of lifesavers throughout Montgomery County. With Kainer at the helm, we are confident this year’s campaign will have an even greater impact in saving lives.

The Heart Walk, active in over 220 cities nationwide, is more than a fundraiser—it’s a movement that drives corporate involvement in the fight against cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death. This year, companies participating in the Heart Walk will play a crucial role in the American Heart Association’s Nation of Lifesavers™ initiative, a national effort aimed at doubling cardiac arrest survival rates by 2030.

“We envision a future where at least one person in every household knows CPR,” said Kainer. “The impact of having a trained, confident lifesaver in every home across Montgomery County cannot be overstated. By joining the American Heart Association’s Heart Walk, companies are helping to turn our community from bystanders into lifesavers, ensuring that when a cardiac emergency occurs, there is someone ready to step in and make a difference.”

The American Heart Association is a global leader in resuscitation science, education, and training, and the official publisher of CPR guidelines. Through the Nation of Lifesavers initiative, the Association is committed to empowering individuals everywhere to act in the event of a cardiac emergency, making sure that no one is left without the help they need when seconds count.

The year-round Heart Walk campaign will culminate on November 2 at Northshore Park, where thousands of participants will walk to save lives while raising essential funds to advance lifesaving research, increase CPR education and training and drive equitable health for all people. Companies interested in participating can contact Lisa Fenley at Lisa.fenley@heart.org. For more information about the Montgomery County Heart Walk, visit MontgomeryCountyHeartWalk.org.