Meet the Heart N Hands Board of Directors
Our Mission is to heighten awareness of heart disease in our community by reaching organizations interested in educating girls and their families about heart health and heart disease prevention
Meet Our Founder & President
Essence Harris Banks, MBA
Essence Banks is a heart disease survivor and advocate since September 2004. At the age of 30, Essence was in the prime of her life, the picture of health when she started experiencing shortness of breath and heart palpitations during her workouts. Then one day as she was carrying her son, Jaden inside she could not catch her breath and felt fluttering in her chest - she knew something was wrong. Her primary care physical at the time ran several tests - NOTHING - then told her she was having panic attacks and to take 3 days off of work. Essence knew there was more to story so she contacted a cardiologist who discovered over 90% blockage in 2 arteries. Today, Essence is a supporter and advocate of heart health awareness in women and works with several organizations such as American Heart Association and WomenHeart National Coalition of Women with Heart Disease as a champion and spokeswoman to raise awareness about heart health and prevention.
For speaking and booking inquiries, please reach out to [email protected]
"Heart disease can affect anyone at any time, know the warnings signs, risk factors and above all LISTEN to your body ." Essence
Essence Harris Banks, MBA
Essence Banks is a heart disease survivor and advocate since September 2004. At the age of 30, Essence was in the prime of her life, the picture of health when she started experiencing shortness of breath and heart palpitations during her workouts. Then one day as she was carrying her son, Jaden inside she could not catch her breath and felt fluttering in her chest - she knew something was wrong. Her primary care physical at the time ran several tests - NOTHING - then told her she was having panic attacks and to take 3 days off of work. Essence knew there was more to story so she contacted a cardiologist who discovered over 90% blockage in 2 arteries. Today, Essence is a supporter and advocate of heart health awareness in women and works with several organizations such as American Heart Association and WomenHeart National Coalition of Women with Heart Disease as a champion and spokeswoman to raise awareness about heart health and prevention.
For speaking and booking inquiries, please reach out to [email protected]
"Heart disease can affect anyone at any time, know the warnings signs, risk factors and above all LISTEN to your body ." Essence
Founding Heart N Hands Board of Directors | Established 2014
Heart N Hands Staff
Ari Booth, Director of Operations
Ari Booth currently serves as Human Resources Business Partner for RiseImpact Capital, LLC, a tax credit investment and syndication firm located in New Orleans, LA. Prior to joining the firm, Ari assisted the pre-opening and opening teams of the Four Seasons Hotel New Orleans holding 3 roles (HR Generalist, Recruiting Manager, and Talent Acquisition Manager) and worked in various cities within the Four Seasons brand spanning over 6 years. She hails from Austin, TX where her immediate family resides and proudly boasts her Philadelphia roots as an avid Eagles fan (fly Eagles fly!).
A Spring 2016 graduate of American University’s Kogod School of Business (Washington, DC), Ari holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration – Management & Psychology and is also a designated Senior Certified Professional within the world-renowned Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM), while actively pursuing a Master’s Degree in Labor & Employment Relations at Penn State University. A born advocate of serving the community through the advancement of women, she is also a proud member of the mission-driven Junior League of New Orleans.
As a former 4-year, Division-I scholarship student-athlete, Ari is no stranger to discipline, healthy living and maintaining long-term vitality in both body and mind. From a young age, she has poured into girls of all nationalities through the sport of basketball, giving insightful lessons on all aspects of the game as well as life – including the importance of balancing one’s personal health with the day to day demands of work and family. Today, Ari is an avid supporter of heart health and the holistic wellbeing of women and is thrilled to serve as Director of Operations for the Heart N Hands organization.
Ari Booth currently serves as Human Resources Business Partner for RiseImpact Capital, LLC, a tax credit investment and syndication firm located in New Orleans, LA. Prior to joining the firm, Ari assisted the pre-opening and opening teams of the Four Seasons Hotel New Orleans holding 3 roles (HR Generalist, Recruiting Manager, and Talent Acquisition Manager) and worked in various cities within the Four Seasons brand spanning over 6 years. She hails from Austin, TX where her immediate family resides and proudly boasts her Philadelphia roots as an avid Eagles fan (fly Eagles fly!).
A Spring 2016 graduate of American University’s Kogod School of Business (Washington, DC), Ari holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration – Management & Psychology and is also a designated Senior Certified Professional within the world-renowned Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM), while actively pursuing a Master’s Degree in Labor & Employment Relations at Penn State University. A born advocate of serving the community through the advancement of women, she is also a proud member of the mission-driven Junior League of New Orleans.
As a former 4-year, Division-I scholarship student-athlete, Ari is no stranger to discipline, healthy living and maintaining long-term vitality in both body and mind. From a young age, she has poured into girls of all nationalities through the sport of basketball, giving insightful lessons on all aspects of the game as well as life – including the importance of balancing one’s personal health with the day to day demands of work and family. Today, Ari is an avid supporter of heart health and the holistic wellbeing of women and is thrilled to serve as Director of Operations for the Heart N Hands organization.
Nina Balan, Ph.D., CPT, Fitness Expert
Nina Balan is originally from Moldova but has lived in New Orleans for ten years. She holds a Ph.D. in Planning & Urban Studies from the University of New Orleans. Her research focuses on preservation strategies, destination management policies, and the impact of climate change on urban tourism in coastal cities. She also completed an M.S. in Tourism Management and Hospitality from the University of New Orleans and a B.S. in Languages and Literature from the University Cattolica del Sacro Cuore in Italy.
As a Board Member of Heart N Hands, Nina plays a vital role in supporting the organization's mission through her dedicated efforts in grant writing and raising funds via her active participation in marathons and physical engagements. Fueled by her unwavering passion for promoting women's health and sustainable living, Nina has become a lifelong advocate, championing the cause of healthy lifestyles and proper nutrition for women. Her commitment to empowering women through accessible healthcare and education is a driving force that inspires others to join the movement towards a healthier and more equitable society.
Nina Balan is originally from Moldova but has lived in New Orleans for ten years. She holds a Ph.D. in Planning & Urban Studies from the University of New Orleans. Her research focuses on preservation strategies, destination management policies, and the impact of climate change on urban tourism in coastal cities. She also completed an M.S. in Tourism Management and Hospitality from the University of New Orleans and a B.S. in Languages and Literature from the University Cattolica del Sacro Cuore in Italy.
As a Board Member of Heart N Hands, Nina plays a vital role in supporting the organization's mission through her dedicated efforts in grant writing and raising funds via her active participation in marathons and physical engagements. Fueled by her unwavering passion for promoting women's health and sustainable living, Nina has become a lifelong advocate, championing the cause of healthy lifestyles and proper nutrition for women. Her commitment to empowering women through accessible healthcare and education is a driving force that inspires others to join the movement towards a healthier and more equitable society.
OUR AMBASSADORS
Jarvis Green, Oceans 97 owner and president, Jarvis Green, began his career in the shrimp industry after completing a successful career as an NFL defensive lineman. Green grew up in the small town of Donaldsonville, Louisiana. Upon graduating from Donaldsonville High School, he established himself as one of the best defensive high school players in the state, he was recruited by LSU where he became a standout defensive lineman on the Tigers defense. Green is fourth all-time in total sacks at LSU with 20, and holds the freshman record for most sacks in a single season with eight.
Then, the New England Patriots drafted Green in the fourth round of the 2002 NFL Draft and he became an integral member of the team’s defense including their Super Bowl XXXVIII and XXXIX Championships.
Following his retirement from the NFL in 2010 he was introduced to the shrimp industry on the Gulf Coast of Louisiana when he owed a favor to a friend. He was immediately captivated and learned the business from the ground up. In 2015 Green started Oceans 97 (the 97 is a nod to his Patriots jersey number). In addition to Oceans 97, Green also runs the Jarvis Green Foundation, which he launched in 2006. The foundation, which has numerous partners in New England, focuses on children and teaching them how to have an overall healthy lifestyle, including what they eat, as well as providing resources to single mothers who have been affected by natural disasters.
Then, the New England Patriots drafted Green in the fourth round of the 2002 NFL Draft and he became an integral member of the team’s defense including their Super Bowl XXXVIII and XXXIX Championships.
Following his retirement from the NFL in 2010 he was introduced to the shrimp industry on the Gulf Coast of Louisiana when he owed a favor to a friend. He was immediately captivated and learned the business from the ground up. In 2015 Green started Oceans 97 (the 97 is a nod to his Patriots jersey number). In addition to Oceans 97, Green also runs the Jarvis Green Foundation, which he launched in 2006. The foundation, which has numerous partners in New England, focuses on children and teaching them how to have an overall healthy lifestyle, including what they eat, as well as providing resources to single mothers who have been affected by natural disasters.