Dexcom CEO Jake Leach Chairs 2027 San Diego Heart Walk
Leach will help mobilize businesses and community leaders to advance CPR education ahead of the September 18 event at Balboa Park.
Updated on Nov. 10, 2026 in Heart Disease
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Jake Leach, CEO and President of Dexcom, has been named chair of the 2027 San Diego Heart Walk, the American Heart Association's largest community-driven campaign. The event is set for September 18, 2027, at Balboa Park and is expected to draw an estimated 5,000 participants.
Why it matters
Nine in 10 people who suffer cardiac arrest outside the hospital die, and more than half do not receive bystander CPR, which can double or triple survival chances. The American Heart Association aims to ensure more San Diego residents are prepared to save a life.
The American Heart Association's 2024 CPR Perceptions Survey found 39% of U.S. adults (about 103 million) feel extremely or very confident performing CPR, up from 33% in 2021. Roughly 61% still lack high confidence to act in a cardiac emergency, and whether confidence is translating into more bystander CPR was not addressed.
The players
Jake Leach
Jake Leach is the CEO and President of Dexcom, a San Diego-based medical technology company known for continuous glucose monitoring systems.
American Heart Association
The American Heart Association is a national nonprofit focused on cardiovascular health that runs the Heart Walk as its largest community-driven campaign.
The details
Leach will help mobilize businesses, community leaders and supporters to advance CPR education as chair of the event. Companies interested in participating can contact Jessica Flora at Jessica.Flora@heart.org, and participants can register at SDHeartWalk.org.
Timeline
November 10, 2026: Jake Leach announced as 2027 Heart Walk chair.
September 18, 2027: San Diego Heart Walk held at Balboa Park.
2030: The Association aims to double the survival rate from out-of-hospital cardiac arrests.
Big Picture
The American Heart Association's 2024 CPR Perceptions Survey shows public confidence rising from 33% in 2021 to 39% in 2024, and the San Diego Heart Walk is one local effort to move that figure further. The Association's stated goal is to double out-of-hospital cardiac arrest survival by 2030.
Residents can learn hands-on CPR skills through the Heart Walk's education efforts and register to participate at SDHeartWalk.org. Businesses interested in sponsorship or participation can reach Jessica Flora at Jessica.Flora@heart.org.
The takeaway
Immediate CPR can double or triple a person's chance of surviving cardiac arrest, so learning the skill now is one of the most practical steps a resident can take. Local participation in events like the Heart Walk helps build that readiness across the community.
What happens next
The San Diego Heart Walk takes place September 18, 2027, at Balboa Park, with registration open at SDHeartWalk.org.
Further reading
For more on prevention and treatment, explore the Heart Disease section.
More information
Register for the event or learn more on the San Diego Heart Walk registration page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by American Heart Association.
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