In 2024, the American Heart Association will celebrate 100 years as a relentless force for longer, healthier lives. And as we look ahead, we recognize the work of the AHA is more important now than ever before. Our centennial milestone is coupled with our 2024 Impact Goal of ensuring every person has the opportunity for a full, healthy life. Every person means working with every community and that is why our Executive Leadership is so important. The Heart Ball Campaign is a catalyst for this work.
2023 Phoenix Heart Ball Chairman
Charlene Berge Blum
Charlene is very honored to be the Chairman of the 64th Annual Heart Ball 2023. She looks forward to raising funds and awareness to help end Heart Disease and Stroke.
Charlene became a Heart Ball committee member in 2005 and has enthusiastically chaired and co-chaired many committees over the years. In 2006 Charlene, Brenda Howard (Past Heart Ball Chairman) and Paige Wheeler co-chaired the first ever “Pulse” Runway to your Heart. It was a huge success with all proceeds going to the American Heart Association, Phoenix. Charlene was Vice-Chairman in 2019 and Chair-Elect 2022.
In 1989, she became a member of the Desert Club of Mesa following her mother and grandmother. She continues today as a sustaining member. Past member of JDRF a member of NotMYKid for 11 years. In 2002, Charlene was honored to be chosen as a Trendsetter by the Board of Directors of the Trends Charitable Fund. Co-Chairing the Trends Celebrity Luncheon in 2005. She started serving on the Trends Charitable Fund Executive Board in 2019-present. Also in 2002, she became a member of PANDA. Chairing the “Children Helping Children” Fashion Show & Luncheon in 2006. She continues as a Golden member today.
Charlene is a Valley native, born and raised in Mesa, Arizona. Her parents instilled in her at a very young age the value and importance of giving back to our community. She has a BS degree in Psychology with minor in Pre-Law. Charlene is the very proud mother of twin daughters, both Attorneys at Law.
Vice Chairman
Natalie Gaylord
Natalie Gaylord has been a member of the Heart Ball committee for over 9 years, Natalie Gaylord is honored to be asked as one of the Vice Chairs of the Heart Ball 2023.
Natalie began her work in fundraising and community service in 1991, when she met and married her husband Ed. She helped fundraise for the Children’s Hospital in Oklahoma City. After moving from Oklahoma to Arizona to raise their 5 children. Natalie has served on the Honor Health Ball committee for 12 years. She was Co-Committee Kick-off Chairman for 2023. With Heart Ball Natalie worked with various committees ranging from dinner, take home gifts and decor. Natalie was asked to be a Trendsetter in 2014.
In her down time Natalie shows Arabian horses and has won over 60 National Championships. She also enjoys reading books. She was born and raised in Colorado, graduated from UCLA then moved to Oklahoma, and has now been in Arizona with her family for the past 19 years.
Vice Chairman
Lee Courtney
Lee Courtney is excited and honored to serve as a Vice Chairman for the 2023 Heart Ball. Lee’s goal is to share the importance of heart health and plans to make it her personal mission to see as many people become CPR certified as possible in the coming year. CPR Saves lives. Lee is a native to Scottsdale and is very passionate about her home state. Lee met the love of her life, Joe Courtney, when he moved to Arizona to play for the Phoenix Suns. Together for close to 30 years they share one son, Chase Courtney. As a family they have worked on many charitable events together and they enjoy volunteering together as often as they can. Lee has been honored to chair and co-chair several local events over the last decade for many charities including Phoenix Children’s Hospital Dine with your Dog, The Arizona Sports Hall of Fame, The American Cancer Society, Trends Charitable Fund where Lee currently serves as Treasurer and The Arizona Science Center. Lee has been a member of the Phoenix Heart Ball since 2017 and has felt blessed beyond measure to serve alongside some of the most professional and accomplished women in the valley as they continue to raise record amounts of money to advance heart health awareness and provide resources for the valley.
As a luxury home Realtor for the past 22 years, Lee finds it to be the best career as to offer flexibility to be available for her clients’ hectic schedules and also allows her to have flexibility to always give back. In her free time Lee enjoys cooking, but never from a recipe, entertaining, which always includes champagne, and she is a passionate Equestrian. Trail riding is her favorite way to spend time with her horses and friends and also her favorite way to tour the landscape of her home state. She looks forward to having more time to pursue horse competitions this year now that she has an “empty nest.”
2023 Sweetheart
Kristine Thompson
As Sweetheart of the 64th Annual Phoenix Heart Ball, Kristine is especially honored to continue the legacy set by her mother, Sandy Magruder, who chaired the Heart Ball in 2004.
Kristine’s parents have been models of community service, and have instilled a desire to be involved in the lives of others. Her background is in fundraising and public relations, and she has spent much of her time teaching and training young women, from leading various Girl Scout troops to volunteering as a Young Life leader for ASU. She has been involved in several organizations over the years, including the Women’s Board of the Barrow Neurological Institute, the Arizona Women’s Board, the Phoenix Symphony Ball, Not My Kid, Young President’s Organization, and numerous political campaigns. She recently served as an appointed Commissioner on the AZ Parents Commission for Drug Education and Prevention. In 2017 she was honored as a Trendsetter by the Trends Charitable Fund. She has been on the Heart Ball committee for 20 years, and served as the 2016 Vice-Chair. In 2019 Kristine served as Chair of the 60th Annual Phoenix Heart Ball.
Kristine is practically a native Arizonan, having moved here at just a few weeks old. She and her husband, Shane, met at Biola University, and have lived in Phoenix for the past 26 years.
Chair Elect
Pamela M. Overton Risoleo
Pam is honored to have been selected as Chair-Elect of the Phoenix Heart Ball and will serve as the Chairman of the 65th anniversary of the Heart Ball in 2024.
Pam's unwavering commitment to the mission of the American Heart Association and to the Arizona community are demonstrated by her commitment and longevity of service, which has been extraordinary. She has served on the Heart Ball committee for 30 years, having joined in 1993 and has happily served on or chaired almost every committee. She was Vice Chairman of the Heart Ball in 1999 and in 2017, then Heart Ball Chairman Char Hubble, selected her as the recipient of the prestigious Peggy Goldwater award to acknowledge her extensive contributions to the American Heart Association and the Arizona Heart Ball.
Pam is also passionate about many other charities in the Phoenix community and has given generously of her time, talents, and resources. She is one of the founding board members that launched Fresh Start Women's Foundation in 1993. She Co-Chaired the Fresh Start Gala in 1996 and in 2005. Then in 2016, she and her husband Jim Co-chaired the 20th Anniversary Celebration of Fresh Start Gala and raised a then record amount of proceeds for the organization. In 2012 Fresh Start Women's Foundation honored her with the Founders Award for her commitment to helping women help themselves seek self-sufficiency. Pam was chosen as a Trendsetter by the Trends Charitable Trust and later served on the Board of Directors of Trends from 2003-2006 and served as President of the Board in 2006. She received the Arizona's "Golden Heart of Business” award and in 2008 was named as " Arizona Woman of the Year" for her contributions to local charities and professional achievements and received the YWCA Tribute to leadership award.
Professionally, Pam has practiced law in Arizona for the past 40 years. She attended the University of Iowa Law School and then came directly to Phoenix, Arizona to practice at O'Connor Cavanagh. She practiced there for 16 years and then joined Greenberg Traurig where she has practiced for the last 24 years. As a shareholder specializing in commercial litigation, she served as chairman of the firm's Phoenix litigation practice from 1999 until 2014 and also served on the firm's National Executive Committee from 2002 until 2014. Phoenix Business journal has repeatedly named her as one of the “Top Ten Business Women in the State of Arizona" and featured her in a profile which praised her for her "focused values". She has been instrumental in the Charitable Giving Program in the Phoenix office, having served on the committee for 24 years.
Pam is married to her best friend Jim Risoleo and although they are known for their many adventures and love of travel and of enjoying life, they are happiest when they are with any of their 5 children (and their spouses) but especially when they are with their three grandchildren Lincoln, Ben, and Quinn!
2023 Honorary Chairs
Carolyn & Craig Jackson
We are grateful to have been selected as the Honorary Chairs for the 64th Phoenix Heart Ball. The tradition and vision of the Heart Ball Committee, in support of the American Heart Association, inspires us in our commitment to slam the brakes on heart disease and stroke. We are driven to accelerate change and make a positive impact within our family, our business and our community. We look forward to supporting our incredible Chairman Charlene Berge-Blum and her magnificent executive team. Buckle up, it is going to be an amazing year.
