Donate Now

About Us

Our Story

In 2009, moms of children battling CHD wanted to empower their children throughout their CHD journey. They learned by wrapping their child in the simple idea of a superhero cape, their children felt invincible while visiting their cardiologists. In many cases, the children found comfort in their cape amidst a crowd of medical professionals, especially if they couldn’t have the comfort of their parents’ arms during some procedures. 

They found the “superpower” their children gained through the cape is something that should be shared with all CHD children. Heart Heroes was created with the hope that all children will feel these superpowers – and that their parents will be comforted knowing that the arms that always protect them can momentarily be substituted with the superpowers of the Heart Hero cape.

Download our Brochure for more information

Heart Heroes About
Heart Heroes CHD

Our Mission

Provide support to children and families affected by Congenital Heart Disease (CHD) through the distribution of superhero capes, programs to offer hope and awareness initiatives

Our Vision

That every child and family affected by Congenital Heart Disease (CHD) feels empowered and supported

Our Values

Championing, Collaboration, Integrity, Passion

Who is a Heart Hero?

CHD Diagnosis

A Heart Hero is a child with a Congenital Heart Disease (CHD), an abnormality of the heart present at birth. CHD can be detected prior to birth, at birth, or even later in life.

Exceptional Strength

Heart Heroes possess exceptional strength that carries them through life-saving operations, countless doctors’ appointments, pokes, prods and hospital stays.

Endless Courage

Heart Heroes have endless courage, CHD is life-long. These Heroes will need routine care and follow up in order to maintain their heart health.

Meet Our Team

Board of Directors

Tony Daniel

BOARD PRESIDENT
NELSON MURPHY INSURANCE & INVESTMENTS

Brandon Hoerstkamp

Board Treasurer
McMillen Dovali Co., P.C.

Angeline Larson

CHILDREN'S NEBRASKA

Kristine Hayward

BOARD VICE PRESIDENT
NEBRASKA MEDICINE

Christina Gregg


university of nebraska medical center

Mike Schommer

UNION BANK & TRUST

Cori Bumgardner

Board Secretary
Union Pacific Railroad

Trey Jantzen, MD

Children's Nebraska

Kathy Schubauer

Omaha Community Foundation

Brent Shanholtz

Ambassador Health

Travis Tettenborn

CLINE WILLIAMS WRIGHT JOHNSON & OLDFATHER, L.L.P.
Our Super Incredible

Heart Heroes Staff

Morgan Boler

Executive Director

Kitty Burton

Director of Programs | Co-Founder

Anna Velasquez

Special events & Marketing Coordinator
Twitter Facebook-f Youtube Pinterest Instagram Linkedin Flickr
Donate Now

Heart Heroes, Inc.
220 N 89th St Ste 203
Omaha, NE 68114
(531) 772-0948

info@heartheroes.org

Heart Heroes, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Omaha, Nebraska

Tony Daniel

BOARD PRESIDENT / CHAD STATE BOARD MEMBER

Mr. Daniel is a Partner at Nelson Murphy Insurance and Investments, where he specializes in Financial Planning and Wealth Management.  He is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER ™ Professional dedicated to providing the highest level of hands-on financial planning for individuals and corporations. Tony graduated from Creighton University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration while playing baseball for the Bluejays.  He is married to Karly Jurgensen and together have 3 daughters Phoebe, Aven (Heart Hero), and Elin.  Tony is passionate about helping others and supporting families affected by CHD. 

Brandon Hoerstkamp

BOARD TREASURER

Mr. Hoerstkamp is a Tax and Audit Manager at McMillen Dovali Co., P.C. in Omaha, Nebraska. He is a Certified Public Accountant and brings experience through a wide range of sectors, such as low-income housing, employee benefit plans, non-profits, agriculture, and rental properties, among others. Mr. Hoerstkamp received his BBS in Accounting and Finance from the University of Nebraska Omaha. He is married to Kelsey and together they have two daughters – Skyler (Heart Hero) and Mackenzie. Brandon and his family understand the importance of having a support team and community like Heart Heroes, when enduring unknown and unexpected times.

Angeline Larson

BOARD MEMBER

Ms. Larson is a healthcare leader with a passion for driving meaningful change in pediatric healthcare. As the Director of Business and Strategy in the Criss Heart Center at Children’s Nebraska, she has dedicated her career to transforming healthcare systems with a strong focus on leadership, culture, and strategy. She has an MBA from Creighton University and brings over 17 years of experience in leading teams and fostering mission-driven, efficient cultures within the healthcare sector. In addition to her professional work, Ms. Larson is deeply committed to strengthening the Omaha community by volunteering her time and talents to create positive change. She believes in the power of business to drive social good and is committed to the mission of Heart Heroes as a member of its Board of Directors.

Kristine Hayward

BOARD VICE PRESIDENT

Mrs. Hayward is a Marketing Strategist at Nebraska Medicine, where she supports the Heart and Vascular service line, helping raise awareness of CHD and the importance of the continuum of care. Kristine graduated from the University of Iowa with a Bachelor of Communication Studies and a Minor in Business Administration. She lives in Omaha with her husband Mark, daughter Elena and son Liam.

Christina Gregg

BOARD MEMBER

Mrs. Gregg is an Instructor at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in the College of Allied Health Professions.  She also works PRN as a nuclear medicine technologist at Nebraska Cancer Specialists.  Christina is a volunteer for the Remembrance Program of Heart Heroes in which she is blessed to honor all those Heart Heroes that have gone before us.   She serves on committees at her children’s school.  Mrs. Gregg and her husband Bob have four children – Adrianna, Evelyn (Heart Hero – Angel), Evan, and Cole (Heart Hero).

Mike Schommer

BOARD MEMBER

Mr. Schommer is a Commercial Lender at Union Bank & Trust in Omaha, NE. He has been in the banking and finance industry for over 25 years. Mr. Schommer received his BA in Business Administration from Doane University in Crete, NE and is also working toward his MBA at Doane. Mr. Schommer is married to Venus Anderson and, between them, have four daughters – Anna, Katy, Meah, and Olivia.

Cori Bumgardner

BOARD SECRETARY

Mrs. Bumgardner is a Marketing Manager at Union Pacific Railroad, where she has been employed since 2004 and has held various positions. Mrs. Bumgardner received her Bachelor of Finance degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. She serves in the children’s and marriage ministries at church and volunteers at her children’s school.

Mrs. Bumgardner resides in Omaha, Nebraska with her family.

Trey Jantzen

BOARD MEMBER

Dr. Jantzen is a Pediatric Cardiologist at Children’s Nebraska. He completed his medical school and pediatric residency training in Omaha, followed by fellowship in Pediatric Cardiology in Ann Arbor, Michigan. He specializes in the diagnosis and management of children with Congenital Heart Disease. He is the medical director of the Echocardiography Lab at Children’s Nebraska and has additional expertise in fetal cardiology. Dr. Jantzen has a passion for working with his patients and their families throughout their congenital heart journey, and he looks forward to being part of a mission of service outside of the hospital walls. Dr. Jantzen and his wife Melissa have two children, Ada and Will.

Kathy Schubauer

BOARD MEMBER

Ms. Schubauer is a proud graduate of Marian High School, Texas Christian University, and the University of Nebraska at Omaha. Currently, the Director of Donor Services at the Omaha Community Foundation. Previously, a fundraiser for the College of Engineering at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln for nearly a decade. Ms. Schubauer served in volunteer roles for organizations such as Teammates, Chi Omega, and the Children’s Nebraska Friends Board. She lives in Omaha with her husband, Tyler, and three sons, Connor, Calvin, and Heart Hero Bennett. Ms. Schubauer is passionate about creating spaces for mothers, fathers, and families to find comfort and care along their CHD journey.

Brent Shanholtz

BOARD MEMBER

Mr. Shanholtz is the CFO for Ambassador Health, a skilled nursing facility and home health provider with campuses in Omaha, Lincoln, Nebraska City, and Sidney, Iowa. The Omaha campus features a specialized pediatric program providing skilled nursing care to children with medically complex care needs. He is a member of the Reimbursement Committee of the Nebraska Nursing Facility Association, the Nebraska City Area Economic Development Corporation Board, and the Alumni Advisory Board for the University of Nebraska-Omaha chapter of the Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity. He earned an Executive MBA from the University of Nebraska-Omaha.

Travis Tettenborn

BOARD MEMBER

Mr. Tettenborn is Vice Chair of Cline Williams’ Litigation Section and has a civil trial practice focusing on commercial disputes across health care, insurance, financial instruments, and real estate matters, as well as medical malpractice defense, legal malpractice defense, and defense of civil rights lawsuits. He represents clients in all aspects of litigation in federal and state courts, arbitration forums, and administrative proceedings. Mr. Tettenborn defends health care providers and represents businesses in litigation throughout the State of Nebraska. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Juris Doctorate from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He lives in Elkhorn with his wife and two children.