HeartKids, a national not-for-profit organisation focused on supporting and advocating for people impacted by childhood-onset heart disease (CoHD), has promoted its Chief Operating and Marketing Officer,Marcus Sandmann, to the top job.

Sandmann’s promotion comes after interim CEO Lesley Jordan announced her intention to step down from her role. Jordan has been with HeartKids for 16 months, during which she has stabilised the organisation and set it on a path for future growth. Her decision to step down is motivated by the organisation’s strong position and her desire to spend more time with family.

HeartKids Chairperson, Elizabeth Foley, praised Jordan’s contributions. “The board would like to thank Lesley for her significant contribution over the past 16 months. Under her leadership, HeartKids has gone through a major organisational restructure, strengthened governance processes and successfully launched the first National Standards of Care for Childhood Onset Heart Disease.”

Sandmann (pictured) stepped into the role of CEO on 1 May 2024. He has a career spanning three decades across the profit and NFP sectors.

“Marcus Sandmann is a highly experienced executive who brings his expertise in marketing, fundraising, and advocacy from a career spanning three decades across the profit and NFP sectors,” Foley said.

“This announcement is part of a planned transition and follows extensive succession planning to ensure stability and continuity in our operations and strategic growth plans moving forward. The Board looks forward to working with Marcus.”