Goodyear CIO Sherry Neubert is out to save your life, but this time it has nothing to do with tires

By Mitch Allen

Sherry Neubert’s family medical history reads like a Charles Dickens novel: It is the best of times; it is the worst of times. On her father’s side are centenarians; Sherry has attended many family birthday celebrations featuring 100 candles on the cake. On her mother’s side the news is not so good; she has attended many funerals of relatives who died much younger of heart disease.

Given the complex nuances of DNA, only one thing is certain: If she takes care of her health, the payoff for Sherry might be big—extra decades of high-quality life.

But she isn’t just interested in having more years for herself; Sherry wants all of us to enjoy more quality time. That’s why she accepted the nomination to participate in the American Heart Association’s 2022 Woman of Impact campaign.

That and, well, it’s on her “list.”

100 Before 100
“I have a list I call 100 Before 100,” explains Sherry, who serves as Chief Information Officer (CIO) at Goodyear. “It’s 100 things I want to accomplish before turning age 100. On that list is the goal of raising $100,000 for a non-profit. I just haven’t known which one—until now.”

In a powerful letter to her “Fiercely Fabulous Impact Team,” Sherry noted she was moved to action by Erin Huber-Rosen, founder of Drink Local Drink Tap, an international non-profit focused on solving water equity and quality issues.

She wrote:

“I was inspired by Erin to look within my heart and mind in pursuit of the meaningful change I wish to enact, and I have found it—to be a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives.”

Then, on January 5, 2022, a long-tenured Goodyear IT associate and friend of her family died suddenly at age 51 from a heart attack.

Sherry was all in.

An Advocate for STEM
Sherry Neubert has long been a supporter of STEM [science, technology, engineering, and mathematics] and—as one of the few female CIOs among America’s top firms—she’s been particularly dedicated to diversity in STEM. “We need more women in technology,” Sherry says. “That includes programming and other areas of IT, but once I got involved in the American Heart Association, I discovered we desperately need more diversity in cardiovascular research, too. Most researchers—and the subjects of that research—are men. As a result, knowledge of men’s heart health is far more pervasive in our culture than that of women. In fact, heart attack symptoms can be completely different for women.”

Sherry reveals that not all women suffering a heart attack will experience the tell-tale chest pain radiating down one arm. Women are more likely than men to experience pain in the back, neck or jaw. Also common are stomach pain, nausea, shortness of breath, lightheadedness, and fatigue.

“Women suffering from a heart attack often believe they have heartburn or they’re overly tired, so they don’t seek emergency treatment,” Sherry adds. “And heart disease is the number one killer of women, accounting for 1 in 5 female deaths—much higher than even breast cancer.”

Many women, however, are unaware of the danger. “Only about half of women realize they are more likely to die of heart disease than from any other cause,” she says. “We can do better. That’s why my campaign is as much about raising awareness as it is raising money.”

Know Your Numbers
One of the best ways to stay healthy and improve the quality and longevity of your life is to “know your numbers.”

“It’s important for everyone—women and men—to monitor their numbers,” Sherry says. “These include cholesterol, blood pressure, blood sugar, resting heart rate, and weight. There are often no clear symptoms or warning signs. You have no way of knowing you have high cholesterol or high blood pressure without being tested. And once you’re tested, if your numbers aren’t at the target level, you can work a plan to reach your goals.”

“The Heart of it All”
Right now Sherry and her Fiercely Fabulous Impact Team are in the trenches advocating for awareness and fund raising to achieve her $100,000 Woman of Impact Goal. But pride is also at stake. The top fundraiser will be named National Woman of Impact—and there will be only one.

“Last year that honor went to Houston, Texas, and I want to bring it home to Northeast Ohio,” Sherry says. “I know we can do it. Even our license plate reads, ‘The Heart of it All.’”

Although Sherry Neubert is in the C-suite at a Fortune 500 company, she is as kind and down-to-earth as she is driven. As one friend put it, “Helping other people’s dreams come true is Sherry’s side hustle.”

And here’s our chance to help.

How You Can Help
To support Sherry Neubert’s American Heart Association Woman of Impact campaign, please follow her on LinkedIn and share her heart health awareness posts.

To make a financial contribution to Sherry’s campaign, and help her bring the Woman of Impact Award home to Ohio, scan the QR code below or visit: bit.ly/sneubert-heartmission

To make your gift by check, please write “2022 WOI Sherry Neubert” in the memo field and mail to:

American Heart Association
1575 Corporate Woods Pkwy.
Uniontown, OH 44685

Sherry Neubert is an Akron native who has served at Goodyear for 20 years, including seven as the company’s CIO. She is a grandmother of three.