TOLEDO, Ohio, February, 20, 2026 ‒ Vince DiPofi, PE, CEO of SSOE Group, an internationally ranked architecture and engineering firm, is leading the charge as the 2026 American Heart Association Heart Walk Chair. In this voluntary role, DiPofi aims to build a community of lifesavers starting in Toledo, where SSOE maintains its world headquarters, and across the global regions where the firm works.
Under DiPofi’s leadership, top executives throughout the Toledo area united to recruit companies and organizations to join the Heart Walk in May, a 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.
The American Heart Association, an organization dedicated to saving lives for over a century, has put a spotlight on CPR education as a critical element of this year’s Heart Walk campaign. A cardiovascular disease survivor who has remained closely connected to the heart-helping nonprofit ever since his recovery, DiPofi recently shared his story with local news leader WTOL 11 as part of their coverage for February’s Heart Month. See the coverage here.
The American Heart Association reports most people who suffer cardiac arrest outside a hospital don’t survive, but immediate CPR can dramatically improve the odds. DiPofi and a team of top executives are working to help more people in the Toledo area gain the skills and confidence to respond effectively in these life-saving situations.
Mindy Hartwick, Executive Director of the American Heart Association in Toledo who partners with the firm, commented:
“The Heart Walk gives Toledo residents and employees an extraordinary opportunity to address a critical issue in our community. We are not just raising funds; we are raising awareness, enhancing CPR training, and building a network of lifesavers throughout Toledo. With Vince DiPofi 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 driving corporate involvement in the fight against cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death in the U.S. 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.
DiPofi stated:
“The impact of having a trained, confident lifesaver in every home cannot be overstated. By joining the American Heart Association’s Heart Walk, companies help transform our community from bystanders into lifesavers, ensuring someone is ready to act when a cardiac emergency occurs. My hope is by tying SSOE, a global organization, to the cause, we can amplify its increase its reach. In the building industry, safety is everything. Our commitment to safety extends far beyond project sites and into the everyday well‑being of our employees, clients, and communities.”
SSOE prioritizes employee wellbeing with regular CPR training, accessible preventive wellness programs, and defibrillators in all offices to ensure rapid response when seconds matter. Its Wellness Works program further supports whole‑person health through nutritional, financial, emotional, and mental wellness resources.
Toledo Heart Walk Details
The Heart Walk campaign will culminate on May 17, 2026, at downtown Toledo’s Promenade Park. Participants will walk to save lives while raising awareness and essential funds to advance lifesaving research, increase CPR education and training, and drive equitable health for all people.
For more information about the Toledo Heart Walk, visit the event webpage here.