Kevin Harker

EVP, Midwest Region
Kevin Harker

Kevin Harker is the Executive Vice President of the Midwest Region of the American Heart Association and has served in that role since 2007. Kevin has been with the American Heart Association for more than 35 years. The Midwest Region is the largest for the AHA, covering 13 states, with 350 staff, and an annual operating budget of $120 million. Throughout his tenure, Kevin has served the organization in a variety of roles including Development Director in the Kansas Affiliate, Executive Director for Metropolitan Chicago, and later served as the Chief Operating Officer for the Greater Midwest Affiliate.

Kevin has also had a national impact on the AHA in many ways, but most notably through building national partnerships, including: 

  • Helmsley Charitable Trust, securing more than $50 million for rural communities.
  • Subway, committing more than $28 million for Heart Walk and Youth programs
  • Archer Daniels Midland, sponsoring $4.5 million for Heart Walk

Kevin is a strong staff leader and developer of people and has received the National Earl B. Beagle Award for Staff Excellence (2000), the highest award given by the American Heart Association; and the Rome Betts Award for outstanding fundraising leadership. 

A native Kansan, Kevin lives in Leawood, Kansas with his wife, Ellen. They have three sons: Gray, Noah and Harrison who are all graduates from the University of Arkansas. Kevin has served on the Governor's Council on Fitness for the state of Kansas; serves on the Healthy KC Commission; and is an active volunteer in his church.