Becky Ringen and Jennie Zafft make The Shoppes Go Red for Women

The women raise awareness about heart disease by participating in the American Heart Association's Campaign

By: Nancy Eike | From the issue: February 2012

Photo: Marshall Franklin Long

Becky Ringen (left) a former Miss Maple Grove who is now working in the corporate events department at the American Heart Association and Jennie Zafft, marketing director at The Shoppes at Arbor Lakes teamed up to start the Go Red for Women campaign at The Shoppes at Arbor lakes

When one learns of all that Becky Ringen has accomplished in her relatively young life, one could easily surmise that she is a gal with, well, heart. Ironically enough, she now makes a career out of helping others take care of their own hearts.

Besides being an exemplary student, a remarkable athlete, a youth leader at her church, an assistant coach for an adapted soccer team, and a gal with strong ties to her hometown (she was a Maple Grove Ambassador in 2001, Miss Maple Grove in 2005, Miss Maple Grove International in 2005, and Miss Minnesota International in 2006), Becky has always had a cause for which she believes in: the American Heart Association (AHA).

“My family has been volunteering with AHA for many years,” says Ringen. “My grandfather died of a sudden cardiac arrest when my mother was 8; he left nine children behind for my grandma to raise. My extended family (aunts and uncles) and my family have been involved ever since.”

And so when an opening in the corporate events department at AHA became available four years ago--and Ringen is working to complete her Masters Degree in Organizational Leadership from Bethel University--her family encouraged her to apply.

“I was blessed to be selected,” says Ringen. “I’ve been there ever since.”

In the perfect marriage of passion and vocation, Ringen began getting the message out about the importance of heart health; one of her roles within AHA is director of the Twin Cities Heart Walk.

Another one of the places Becky is helping to get the message out loud and clear is at The Shoppes of Arbor Lakes, with the national Go Red for Women campaign. This fortuitous partnership came about after Jennifer Zafft, marketing director for The Shoppes at Arbor Lakes, and Ringen put their heads together and thought of how best they could reach women.