Columbus Monthly Special Section: Circle of Red (2025)
of Red Columbus members 2025, from left to right, beginning with front row are: Evelyn Smith, Carolyn Williams Francis, Marchelle Moore, Amanda McCullouch, Laxmi Mehta, Nancy Tobbe. Middle row: Rochelle Bailey, Veronica Knuth, Pam Kerstetter, Tauana McDonald, Terri Hill, Heather Brilliant, Jayme Smoot. Back row: Jennifer Edwards, Erin McFarland, Devray Kirkland, Jenny Barnes and Janica Pierce Tucker. Members not pictured are Anne Albers, Lisa and Bruce Bachmann, George Barrett, Tracy Davidson, Jane Endres, Laura Gravelin, Jane Grote Abell, Michele Holcomb, Brenda Houston Baird, Pamela Hutchinson, Lisa Ingram, Janet Jackson, Donna James, Mike and Linda Kaufman, Unhee Kim, Catherine Krawczeski, Susan Krohne, Erika Lamont, Mel McAfee, K.C. McCallister, Nancy and John McEwan, Bob Phillips, Mindy Price, Luciana Ramsey, Lisa Rogers, Elizabeth Seely, Amy Shore, Ola Snow, Kara Trott, Sharon Tackett, Dawn Tyler Lee, Melinda Urani, Carole Watkins and Anne Zavarella.
Circle
Circle of Red Columbus Leads the Nation
The American Heart Association-Central Ohio’s annual giving society is the fastest growing in the U.S., and its luncheon is No. 1 in national fundraising.
Health is personal. Confounding. And often lonely. Plus, with inequities in research, treatment and funding, women have been undercounted and under-supported. But there is one source of support they can count on: each other. Women connect with other women for information, motivation and inspiration, and the American Heart Association is leveraging the power of that connection to create better health outcomes for all women through its national movement, Go Red for Women and the Circle of Red Society. Circle of Red is Go Red for Women’s annual giving society, made up of passionate individuals who are in the fight against heart disease and stroke in women to win. Members use their influence, generosity and passion to help increase awareness of cardiovascular disease— the leading cause of death in women— and to inspire women to take charge of their health. They are leaders in their communities and families. For many, the fight against heart disease is personal. As some of the Go Red for Women movement’s greatest champions, Circle of Red members not only help save lives, but are
the heart of the American Heart Association’s mission.
Circle of Red shines in communities across the United States, and Columbus is proud to be home to the fastest growing circle in the nation, doubling its membership last year from 33 to 66 members. But they aren’t stopping there—they are working relentlessly to grow the circle to be No. 1 in the nation with 100 members this year. The society is recognized in many ways throughout the year, with their most prominent recognition at the annual Columbus Go Red for Women Luncheon.
The luncheon honors survivors, celebrates advancements in heart health and raises funds to continue to better identify, diagnose, treat and prevent cardiovascular disease in women, which currently claims the lives of one in three women each year. The Columbus luncheon, much like the Circle of Red, also is a leader across the country—most notably the No. 1 fundraising event nationwide.
This type of growth doesn’t happen by accident, but through dedicated and passionate leadership. United in a common
goal, these two leaders and influential philanthropists are building upon a legacy of health and well-being for all women in Columbus and beyond, which will be felt for years to come.
They are Marchelle Moore, Go Red for Women Chair and SVP, External Affairs, Chief Diversity Officer & President, Encova Foundation of Ohio at Encova Insurance, and Carolyn Williams Francis, Circle of Red Chair, and founder and CEO, Williams Interior Design Inc.
You can find their profiles on Page 38.
For 21 years, the Columbus Go Red for Women Luncheon has impacted and inspired more than 100,000 individuals and raised nearly $20 million to fund awareness, research and policy and systems changes that support all women. This year will be no different. For the February 2025 luncheon, more than 600 guests, including the Circle of Red, were ready to don their favorite red attire or accessory and band together, harnessing their power and passion to support all women in every age, stage and season of life.
For more information, visit heart.org/ columbusgored.
Columbus Go Red for Women Luncheon 2024
Where you begin care for your heart or vascular disease makes all the difference. When you choose The Ohio State University Heart and Vascular Center, you’re choosing expert diagnosis and treatment from the team who can manage your ongoing care and treat even the most complex conditions. All at central Ohio’s only adult heart hospital ranked “Best” by U.S. News & World Report.
Survivors and Supporters
Two Columbus Circle of Red leaders are on a mission to educate other women about heart disease and make the city’s society the top in the nation.
By Lucy Clark
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death among all women, according to the American Heart Association, despite being largely unrecognized by its sufferers until it’s too late. That’s what Columbus Circle of Red Chairwoman Carolyn Williams Francis and Go Red for Women leadership team member Melinda McAfee aim to correct through educational and fundraising efforts. Francis is the president, CEO and founder of award-winning interior design firm Williams Interior Designs Inc. She is a wife, mother, grandmother, community member and, like many women, a heart survivor.
She wasn’t a cardiovascular disease survivor yet when she got involved with the American Heart Association. Circle of Red—Go Red for Women’s annual giving society—was in its infancy when she and her sister, a heart survivor herself, were brought into the fold in the mid-2000s. Years later, Francis was searching for ways to give back. “When you lose a family member, or your life just changes, you go, ‘What else am I supposed to be doing? What else can I do to help?’” Francis says.
“The biggest thing for me was getting involved more with the American Heart Association.” Francis’ involvement and current chairwomanship, while rooted in her charitable nature, would go on to become a lifesaving decision.
In 2009, Francis was at the gym when she started experiencing mild heart distress symptoms, including shortness of breath and tightness in her neck and chest. While the symptoms quickly subsided, her knowledge of how cardiovascular disease presents itself differently in women made her wary. A hospital visit later, and she was undergoing angioplasty to remove an 80 percent blockage in her heart—one that could have caused a fatal heart attack if untreated.
McAfee is the chief human resources officer and chief legal officer at Victoria’s Secret & Co. and, like Francis, a wife, mother, American Heart Association donor and cardiovascular disease survivor. Three years ago, she was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation—a rarity given her age and lack of risk factors if it weren’t for a genetic predisposition. Shortly after, Sarah Lewis—the senior development di-
rector for Go Red for Women—reached out to get her involved.
Both women cite community education as one of Circle of Red’s most invaluable endeavors. “The most important thing is to get the word out as best as we can,” says Francis. “This is serious. As women, we’re nurturers, and we take care of everybody besides ourselves. We have to put ourselves first. If we don’t, we’re no good for anybody.”
“The education piece is the biggest part,” McAfee echoes. “Educating people on women’s health, where there’s a huge gap, and lack of knowledge. As a member of the business community, I see the amazing impact we can have on these fundamentally important philanthropic initiatives. Not only financially, but spreading the word to their associates and employees, and providing an opportunity for people to be involved.”
Over the past year, Circle of Red’s membership has doubled from 33 to 66. The Central Ohio society is one of the largest in the country, and aims to reach 100 members by the end of the year to claim the No. 1 spot.
