Margot Gold was there at the beginning.
The Heart Network’s first executive director, Margot was hired with support from a one-year grant from the Fannie Rippel Foundation that gave the organization its start in 2001. She later wrote and secured the tobacco grant that helped the Heart Network gain its footing for the long haul.
Margot, along with her staff and a dedicated board, would go on to establish the Heart Network as a regional leader in developing partnerships to facilitate policy change and implementing best practices to increase opportunities for healthy living and decrease the incidence of chronic diseases.
“I think the Fannie Rippel Foundation would be shocked to know that we are still alive and well,” Margot said.
After year one, the Heart Network received its first grant to aid with tobacco cessation efforts in the North Country.
“That was a three-year grant that allowed us to be creative with our programming,” Margot said. “I’m so thankful we didn’t fold after that first year. The rest is history.”
Under Margot’s leadership, the Heart Network received continuous funding from the New York State Department of Health. She retired in May 2016, leaving behind a thriving organization.
“There’s no other way to say it: we absolutely would not be here today if it weren’t for Margot’s passion and dedication to building foundations for healthy communities,” said Heart Network Executive Director Ann Morgan.”
Do you have a story or memory about the Heart Network to share? Email it to cmorris@heartnetwork.org.
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