Shalu Saluja, Esq.
Immediate Past Board Chair
Board Member 2018–2025

“Heart to Heart’s approach is so distinct from that of other cardiac aid organizations. The thread, the impact of Heart to Heart teams in every community where they’ve worked, is so strong. Today and for the future, their life-saving legacy is incomparable.”

Shalu Saluja has been an ardent supporter of Heart to Heart since 1998, when our founder, Nilas Young, MD, performed emergency open heart surgery on Shalu’s husband Hersh, saving his life. Soon afterwards, Shalu learned about Dr. Young’s deep involvement with Heart to Heart. Shalu and Hersh became, and remain, generous benefactors of the organization, providing ongoing financial support and much more. The Salujas hosted and underwrote our 25th anniversary celebration, highlighted by the formal announcement of Heart to Heart’s global expansion. Shalu joined our board as its chair in 2018.

As board chair for fiscal years 2019–2025, Shalu adroitly steered Heart to Heart through the tumultuous Covid-19 waters. Under her steady hand, we were able to firmly establish our programs in Costa Rica—conducting five on-site assessments and nine cardiac training missions—despite travel delays, logistical complexities, and lingering economic uncertainties throughout Latin America. In addition, Shalu strategically streamlined our board committee structure, enabling us to communicate and manage our nonprofit organization more effectively. 

In 2022, Shalu participated in her first Heart to Heart training mission, to our pediatric partner site in Costa Rica. She experienced firsthand the impact of our program model, and returned with us again in 2023 to learn more. In March 2025, Heart to Heart signed a Cooperative Agreement with Costa Rica’s governing healthcare institution (the Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social, widely referred to as the Caja), formalizing our cardiac educational collaboration at the nation’s highest level. Heart to Heart is the first foreign NGO to be recognized by the Caja with an official protocol. What a fitting finale to Shalu’s six years as our board chair! Shalu was at the signing ceremony in spirit, and her strategic thinking and commitment to service will continue to inspire Heart to Heart’s governing board of directors.