Meet the Team!
Alina Yang
Alina Yang is the Founder and President of Guardians of the Heart, 501(c)(3). With a significant history of cardiovascular disease in her family and aspirations of pursuing a career in cardiology, her mission is to address heart disease at the community, medical, and legislative levels to create a healthier future for all populations. Her work with Guardians of the Heart is the foundation of this vision, as she seeks to inspire and educate youth to take proactive steps toward lifelong heart health and to empower current and future generations of adolescents to take part in the fight against the leading cause of death. Beyond her involvement with Guardians of the Heart, Alina enjoys dance, Varsity soccer, journalism, and cardiovascular research.
Founder & President
Leia Patel
Leia Patel is the School Program Manager of Guardians of the Heart. Inspired by her family’s history of cardiovascular disease, she is driven to make a difference in raising heart disease awareness. Through Guardians of the Heart, she intends to integrate heart health education into school programs and advocate for healthier school environments. In addition, Leia is an active member of Varsity Track and Field, Varsity Soccer, and the Japanese Culture Club. She is also dedicated to advancing diabetes research.
Program Manager
Kaoruko Daito is the Event Coordinator of Guardians of the Heart. As she self-researches about the heart as an organ, she recognizes the lethality of CVDs but also the ability for some to be preventable by lifestyle changes. Today, driven by her advocacy for CVD prevention and a big believer in a healthy lifestyle, she contributes to this organization to further spread CVD awareness and prevention methods in youth. During her free time, she enjoys art, volleyball, volunteering, and cooking.
Kaoruko Daito
Event Coordinator
Audrey Li
Audrey Li is a junior at Scarsdale High School and serves as the Marketing Director of Guardians of the Heart. She is passionate about public health and empowering youth to make informed decisions about their well-being, believing in the power of early prevention to build healthier, more resilient communities. Outside her work with the nonprofit, Audrey enjoys photography, playing the viola, and swimming.
Marketing Director
Vicky Rodriguez
Vicky Rodriguez Lecuona is a junior at Scarsdale High School and the Social Media Manager at Guardians of the Heart. Her interest in cardiology began when her dad underwent major heart surgery in 2021, and ever since, she has wanted to pursue a career in cardiology and empower others by helping them be more informed. Outside of working with the organization, Vicky enjoys baking, theatre, and photography.
Social Media Manager
Pittsburgh Chapter
Juliana (Jules) Phipps
Jules Phipps is the President of Guardians of the Heart, Pittsburgh Chapter. Her passion for heart disease prevention comes from her desire to help educate the next generation. She hopes to spread awareness about heart disease and ways to prevent it. Her goal is to spread heart disease to everyone she comes into contact with. Jules is also involved in varsity swimming, yearbook, and is a lifeguard. She enjoys photography and watching sports.
President
Lucas Conley
Lucas Conley is the Vice President of Guardians of the Heart, Pittsburgh Chapter. Lucas has become passionate about cardiovascular disease from his personal experience and has participated in several programs to understand it more. He educates people in his community to understand the importance of having a healthy heart. Outside his work with the nonprofit, Lucas enjoys volunteering at nursing homes, being a part of his school’s musicals, and running.
Vice President
Julia Tuite serves as the Event Coordinator for Guardians of the Heart, Pittsburgh Chapter. Inspired by her family’s history of heart issues, Julia is dedicated to raising awareness about heart health. Her aspirations to pursue a career in the medical field fuel her mission to educate students, teachers, and families. Outside of her work with the organization, Julia is a dedicated athlete, participating in varsity Cross Country and varsity Track & Field. In her free time, she enjoys reading and cooking.
Event Coordinator
Julia Tuite
Chelsea Wilkerson
Chelsea Wilkerson is a junior at Oakland Catholic High School and the Marketing Director at Guardians of the Heart, Pittsburgh Chapter. Through her work at Guardians of the Heart, she aims to use social media to spread awareness about heart health and educate her community. Beyond the organization, she enjoys expressing herself through writing, reading, choreographing, and cooking.
Marketing Director
Brian Lemon is the Treasurer of Guardians of the Heart, Pittsburgh Chapter. Moved by a passion to serve others, he seeks to make a broad impact through the program by helping millions of people suffering from chronic heart conditions around the world. He hopes that his research and contributions to the organization will warn people of the risks they face and how they can mitigate them through preventative measures. Outside of working with the nonprofit, Brian enjoys competing in tournaments for speech & debate and science fairs, hanging out with friends, and basketball.
Treasurer
Brian Lemon
Ainsley Cook-Balduaf
Ainsley Cook-Baldauf is the Secretary of Guardians of the Heart, Pittsburgh Chapter, and has a strong passion for both the arts and community service. Ainsley’s interest in promoting heart health stems from her desire to make a meaningful impact on the lives of others, especially through education and awareness. Ainsley brings strong organizational skills and a creative spirit to her role as Secretary. Outside of her work with Guardians of the Heart, Ainsley enjoys participating in theater productions, singing, dancing, and volunteering.
Secretary
