Mauret Brinser

American Heart Association executive director for New Hampshire, Vermont and Plattsburgh, N.Y.

By Julia K. Agresto

Even for the most seasoned professionals, there is always room for growth – and it’s never too late to find that “dream job.”

Mauret Brinser is living proof of that – having finally found, at 47, the perfect fit as an executive director for the American Heart Association, after years of working with many companies but never finding true happiness in her career.

Brinser, of Nottingham, stepped into this new role just months ago in January and finally feels in her element, being able to combine her desire to help others and be in a management role.

“Here I am in a position that I feel I’m doing something valuable for the community ... but I’m also working for a wonderful organization that cares about its employees, and I don’t know that I’ve ever worked for a company that really demonstrates that like the American Heart Association,” she said. “The team is probably the best team that anyone could ever work with. So there are so many reasons why I’m enjoying my job.”

Previously, Brinser had worked at Sanofi-Aventis, a pharmaceutical company headquartered in Bridgewater, N.J.; and most recently, Beacon Hospice, where she worked as a physician hospital specialist. She later became a victim of company downsizing and was let go. Then fate stepped in.

A good friend of Brinser’s met Kate Pendergast, event director of Go Red for Women – a national movement founded by the American Heart Association. Pendergast had just stepped down from the role Brinser now occupies and mentioned that the American Heart Association was looking to fill the vacant position. The perfect opportunity had presented itself for Brinser.

And the rest, as they say, is history.

Brinser brings more than 12 years of sales and management experience to the position. She now leads a team of nine staff members and oversees all activities associated with the various fundraising campaigns produced from each territory she is responsible for.

Most importantly, she is doing something she has always wanted to do.

“It had the aspect of promoting something that is so important, and it had the management piece on top of that,” she said of her new position. “So it was just a big win.”

Outside of her career, Brinser is family-oriented – being one of five children in what she describes as a “very close-knit family” and being married with two children. She also is an avid walker and tries to make time for this activity four or five times each week.

“Those are the areas where I find joy and peace when I’m not at work,” she said.

At the end of the day, although she has met her career goals at last, Brinser said she has a much bigger goal – one she hopes to continue meeting throughout the rest of her career and her life.

“I always want to continue to grow,” she said. “I think that’s important, and there are so many growth opportunities right there with the American Heart Association. It’s just really important for me to be happy, because I think life is short, and to be able to bring value. And that’s key for me. As long as I feel like I’m doing that, I’m meeting those goals.”

Julia K. Agresto is a freelance writer who lives in Dunstable, Mass.