About Us

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Sheryl Martin is a survivor of Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection (SCAD), an experience that inspired her to spearhead a research study now in collaboration with the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Gillings School of Global Public Health. She holds an academic background in psychology and has experience in the medical field, including work as a research assistant. Sheryl is certified in Patient Advocacy and Medical Technology Assessments by the Bocconi School of Management in Rome and holds additional certifications in Psychological First Aid, Mental Health First Aid, and Resiliency through the University of Pennsylvania's Positive Psychology program. She has also earned the Canadian Women’s Heart Health Education Certificate. Driven by a deep commitment to improving quality of life and health outcomes, Sheryl is dedicated to supporting women recovering from cardiac events.

sherylmartin@herheartsounds.org

  Sylvia survived SCAD (Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection) in 2023 and benefitted from a Her Heart Sounds program. She is a strategic leadership coach and consultant in Silicon Valley. Sylvia has coached Executives in both small tech start-ups and Fortune 50 companies. Sylvia has a strong record of helping companies transform the culture to support business strategy and to help executives grow and lead. Sylvia has a B. A. from the University of Wisconsin - Madison, and is a graduate of CoachU. Since her SCAD, she has been exploring how she can help other executive women get their life back after a cardiac event.

Sonali Sehgal is a motivated and collaborative fourth-year undergraduate student at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Public Health (BSPH) in Nutrition, Health, and Society through the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health. She is also completing minors in Chemistry and Spanish for the Medical Profession.. On the pre-medical track with a strong interest in cardiology, Sonali is known for her optimism, dedication, and commitment to teamwork.

Through Gillings, Sonali conducts research on Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection (SCAD) under the mentorship of Dr. Martin and Dr. Meyer. She applies this research to support SCAD survivors through the advocacy group Her Heart Sounds. Beyond research, Sonali serves on the executive board of Camp Kesem at Chapel Hill as a Development Coordinator, helping lead fundraising initiatives for children impacted by a parent’s cancer. She also volunteers as a Spanish medical interpreter at the SHAC clinic in Carrboro, providing clinical support to underserved populations.

In her free time, Sonali enjoys traveling, cooking, watching soccer, and going on walks.

  Cindy-Anne as a SCAD patient fully understands the challenges that female SCAD patients face in obtaining the best possible medical care. Cindy-Anne would like to use her certificates in Counseling and Mindfulness to assist with co-hosting the Stress Management Programs and teaching medical advocacy.   Cindy-Anne brings a valuable global perspective to the Board of Directors, drawing on her experience and residence in Sydney, Australia. 

Aisha brings strong skills in client advocacy, communication, and service coordination to the Her Heart Sounds Board of Directors, directly supporting the organization’s mission to improve recovery outcomes for women after cardiac events. With a background in retirement benefits and customer service, she has extensive experience guiding individuals through complex systems, helping them understand critical information, and empowering informed decision-making—skills that translate seamlessly to patient education and medical self-advocacy.

Her strength in relationship-building and compassionate support fosters trust and connection, essential to the success of Her Heart Sounds’ programs. Aisha’s experience navigating healthcare services, coordinating care, and managing sensitive situations enhances her ability to contribute to patient-centered initiatives, outreach, and advocacy efforts, advancing both the physical and emotional recovery of the women the organization serves.

Anka brings a powerful blend of digital strategy, education, and community engagement to the Her Heart Sounds Board of Directors, directly advancing the organization’s mission to expand access to cardiac support and education for women worldwide. With over 15 years of experience in web development and design, she specializes in transforming complex information into accessible, user-friendly digital content—an essential skill in delivering inclusive virtual programs, educational resources, and global outreach initiatives.

Her passion for empowering individuals through education and digital literacy strengthens Her Heart Sounds’ ability to reach underserved populations and foster meaningful engagement. Anka’s experience in teaching, curriculum development, and mission-driven storytelling enhances program accessibility, patient education, and advocacy efforts, helping ensure that women navigating cardiac recovery have clear, supportive, and impactful resources available to them.

Samantha brings a strong combination of communication, organizational leadership, and client-centered service to the Her Heart Sounds Board of Directors, directly supporting the organization’s mission to improve recovery outcomes for women after cardiac events. She is skilled in translating complex information into clear, approachable guidance, helping individuals feel informed, supported, and confident in navigating challenging situations—an ability that aligns closely with patient education and medical self-advocacy initiatives.

Her commitment to building meaningful relationships and delivering compassionate support strengthens Her Heart Sounds’ programs by fostering trust and engagement among participants. Samantha’s strengths in coordination, attention to detail, and responsiveness enhance program delivery, outreach, and advocacy efforts, helping ensure that women receive accessible, high-quality support throughout their cardiac recovery journey.