It is rare for someone to spend an entire career with one organization. For Gina Klofft, that commitment has spanned four decades, helping advance the fight against heart disease and stroke throughout northwestern Pennsylvania.
This month marks 40 years since Klofft began her journey with the American Heart Association, a career that started in August 1986 with a position as a front desk assistant in the organization’s former Erie office on French Street.
What began as an administrative role soon evolved into something much larger. Encouraged by mentors who recognized her leadership abilities and passion for the mission, Klofft took on increasing responsibilities focused on raising awareness about heart disease and expanding the American Heart Association’s impact throughout the region.
Her dedication eventually led to a pivotal career moment in 2009 when she considered stepping into the role of Erie division director. At the time, Klofft was raising her young daughters as a single mother while balancing the demands of a growing career.
The position brought long hours and a full calendar of events, from organizing annual Heart Walks to coordinating elegant Heart Ball galas and leading fundraising efforts that support lifesaving cardiovascular research and local patient programs.
Over the years, Klofft has become one of the most recognizable faces of the organization in Erie. Her work has earned heartfelt appreciation from community members, volunteers, and survivors whose lives have been touched by the American Heart Association’s programs. Handmade gifts, personal notes of thanks, and professional recognition have all served as reminders of the difference her work has made.
Among those who have witnessed her dedication firsthand is Karen Colbert, the American Heart Association’s regional communications director, who has worked alongside Klofft for more than two decades.
But for Klofft, the mission has never been only professional. It has also been deeply personal.
During her tenure, her father underwent heart surgery, bringing the realities of cardiovascular disease even closer to home. Her family has long been involved in the organization’s work, with both of her parents volunteering alongside the hundreds of community members who have supported the association’s efforts throughout the years.
Her mother, who lives with atrial fibrillation, has also gained a firsthand understanding of the importance of heart health awareness, prevention, and treatment.
Those personal experiences have strengthened Klofft’s commitment to the cause and the community she serves.
After 40 years, Klofft’s career stands as a testament to perseverance, compassion, and service. Through countless fundraising campaigns, awareness initiatives, volunteer partnerships, and community events, she has helped further the American Heart Association’s mission while touching countless lives across the Erie region.
For Klofft, what started as a job behind a reception desk grew into a lifelong calling, one that continues to make a difference in the fight against heart disease, the nation’s leading cause of death.