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Announcement of new leadership
Published: Thursday 10 September 2026
The Global Cardiovascular Research Funders Forum (GCRFF) appoints new Chair and Vice-Chair
The GCRFF is pleased to announce the appointment of Rebecca Abma-Schouten (Chief Science Officer of the Dutch Heart Foundation) as its new Chair, as well as Dr Nicole Aiello Sapio (National EVP, Science Strategies and Operations of the American Heart Association) as Vice-Chair.
Rebecca Abma-Schouten brings extensive experience in cardiovascular research strategy, international collaboration, and research funding following over 17 years at the Dutch Heart Foundation, two years as GCRFF Vice-Chair, and over four years as part of the Management Team of the Dutch Cardiovascular Alliance. Rebecca is excited to continue bringing together the perspectives of the Forum’s members “at a time when international collaboration is more important than ever”. She expressed her ambition to take the learnings from the first collaborative research program into the Forum’s next strategic roadmap period, as well ambitious plans to further improve the efficacy for investigators planning and conducting multinational clinical trials.
“I will consider my term as Chair successful if the GCRFF network helps create funding opportunities for international research that individual countries could not deliver on their own. If we can lower barriers to collaboration, make cross-border research funding easier, and ensure our members are proud of what we have achieved together, then we will have succeeded.”
Rebecca Abma-Schouten, GCRFF Chair - Dutch Heart Foundation
Dr Nicole Aiello Sapio is delighted to be supporting the next phase of the Forum's strategic priorities and fostering engagement across its international membership as Vice-Chair. The Forum will greatly benefit from her extensive leadership and operational expertise in managing complex programs at scale for over 30 years at the American Heart Association.
“The Forum provides a unique platform for funders to learn from one another and drive greater collective impact. I look forward to supporting the Forum's continued growth and success.”
Dr Nicole Aiello Sapio, GCRFF Vice-Chair - American Heart Association
The GCRFF also extends its sincere thanks to outgoing Chair Dr David Tancredi (Director, Leducq Foundation) for his leadership and commitment to the Forum - who has served as GCRFF Chair for the past three years. During his tenure, Dr Tancredi guided the organisation through a period of significant growth, supporting initiatives that strengthened the global cardiovascular research funding landscape and reinforced the value of collective action among funders, notably the Forum’s first major ~$10m joint investment on the International Research Challenge on Women’s Cardiovascular Health.