Yuki Kotani is a Co-founder of Harboring Hearts. Though she is a congenital heart defect survivor herself, her main inspiration for starting this organization comes from her father who is a heart attack survivor, LVAD, and a heart transplant recipient. As one of her father’s primary caretakers, she experienced first-hand the emotional strain that can be placed on families and loved ones throughout life-changing procedures.

During this trying time, she realized the importance of emotional support through a network of people who can empathize with the struggles that heart patients and their families face. Michelle and Yuki hope that Harboring Hearts will provide them with the necessary support.

Yuki is active on the American Heart Association’s Young Professional Board. She was a panelist in 2011 for High Water Women’s Young Women and Careers in Philanthropy Discussion and was chosen as an American Heart Association’s Go Red For Women national spokesperson and a Heart of New York’s spokesperson in 2010. She was awarded Rosewood Hotel and Resorts “30 under 30” distinction in 2010.

Yuki holds a B.A. from the University of Virginia in Art History and East Asian Interdisciplinary Studies. In her free time, she enjoys running, biking, rock climbing, and playing field hockey.