People Committed to Helping Others Be Ready.
Starting Hearts brings together operational leaders, certified instructors, clinical cardiologists, emergency responders, advisors, and volunteers united by one shared goal: improving community preparedness and survival for Sudden Cardiac Arrest.
Lifesaving Work Takes More Than One Kind of Expertise.
Our organization combines clinical medical insights, frontline emergency response experience, passionate community leadership, and hands-on educators:
Setting strategic governance, community vision, and operational excellence.
Delivering CALL.PUSH.SHOCK.™ and certified Red Cross CPR/AED training.
Providing medical direction, cardiology expertise, and public safety guidance.
Maintaining AEDs in the field, managing programs, and volunteering talents.
Starting Hearts Staff
Our dedicated staff manages daily operations, field coordination, and community-wide educational programs:
Dave Breitenfeld
Summit County AED Field ManagerOversees community defibrillator placements, regular readiness inspections, and partner field support across Summit County.
Dr. Harris Effron
American Red Cross Instructor Trainer & Retired CardiologistBrings extensive clinical cardiology experience and Red Cross instructor expertise to our CPR, AED, and citizen preparedness curricula.
Brooke Rey
Eagle County InstructorCertified Athletic Trainer & Sports Physiology TeacherFocuses on youth education, athletic safety, and experiential CPR training across Eagle County schools and athletic programs.
New Team Member
Role Coming SoonBio coming soon.
Board of Directors
Our Board of Directors provides strategic direction, financial stewardship, and healthcare leadership:
Alan Himelfarb
Executive Director & Chairman of the BoardLeads organizational strategy, institutional partnerships, and community health initiatives.
Mike McGee
Starting Hearts InstructorDedicated CPR and AED instructor empowering citizens with hands-on response skills.
Janet Newman, PhD
Director of Education & InstructorOversees curriculum design, educator development, and instructional excellence.
Jackie Christiansen
Director of Business DevelopmentDrives institutional partnerships, corporate sponsorships, and program outreach.
Chief Jim Levi
Division Chief of EMSRed, White and Blue Fire Protection District in Breckenridge, Colorado.
Dr. Tom Califf
Medical DirectorEmergency Medicine, CommonSpirit Health, Frisco.
Dr. Katie Austin-Boulos
Licensed Doctor of AudiologyHealthcare professional and advocate for community wellness and safety.
Dr. Katarina Nelson
MD, FACC CardiologistCardiology specialist supporting evidence-based sudden cardiac arrest response.
Experience That Strengthens the Mission.
By bringing together practicing emergency physicians, division fire chiefs, clinical cardiologists, athletic trainers, and business leaders, Starting Hearts bridges the gap between professional healthcare standards and everyday bystander action.
Advisory Board
Distinguished advisors whose clinical, technological, and philanthropic guidance enriches our community impact:
Morton Mower
Emeritus; Co-Inventor of the Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator.
Toby Mower
R.N., B.S., M.S., Ph.D., Philanthropist and Community Health Advocate.
Cathy Tobin
PrepMD LLC; Boston Scientific; United States Army Veteran.
Maggie Seldeen
Founder & Director of High Rockies Harm Reduction.
Volunteers Help the Work Travel Further.
Dedicated volunteer contributors who extend our educational reach through writing, social advocacy, and outreach:
Robert Burleson
Blog Content WriterEnjoys crafting patient-oriented educational articles in a volunteer capacity to keep cardiac awareness and emergency preparedness accessible to all.
Vinita Kulkarni
Blog Content WriterContributes research and written articles to Starting Hearts' educational blog, helping communicate lifesaving insights clearly.
Nnenna NWokoye
Social Media TeamHelps amplify Starting Hearts' mission across digital and social channels to build public engagement and reach younger audiences.
An Expanding Community of Lifesavers.
Behind every program are hundreds of active volunteer instructors, participating teachers, healthcare allies, donor families, and everyday citizens who step forward to make their neighborhoods safer.
There's a Place for More People in This Work.
Whether you want to learn CPR, teach in your community, place an AED, or contribute your skills, we welcome you.