Our team & board

We exist to amplify the voices of people living with and vulnerable to HIV until their needs and experiences are embedded in our national consciousness.

Meet the people turning this vision into reality.

Our team

Carl Baloney Jr.

Vice President & Chief Advocacy Officer

Annie Benjamin

Program Associate

Hannah Bryant

Hannah Bryant

Senior Program Manager

Bianca Carrillo

Program Manager

Clifford Castleberry

Program Associate

Headshot of Athena Cross

Athena Cross

Vice President & Chief Programs Officer

Alicia Downes, LMSW

Director of Federal Programs

Jessica Fernandez

Grants & Compliance Accountant

headshot of Mackenzie

Mackenzie Flynn

Policy Associate

Julio J. Fonseca

Senior Program Manager

Eric Gelman, M.B.A., M.A.

Acting Operations Administrator

Laura Gerson, CHES

Program Coordinator

Drew Gibson

Director of Advocacy

R. Warren Gill III, M.Div. M.A.

Director of Communication

Angel Gomez

Program Manager

Headshot of Carli Gray

Carli Gray

Program Associate

Jacobi Hunter-Wright, M.A.

Senior Program Manager

Bradley Kiley

Vice President & Chief Operating Officer

Vanessa stands facing directly into the camera wearing a red jacket, white shirt and gold necklace.

Vanessa Lathan

Senior Program Manager

Mark Lockwood

Program Manager

Judith May

Senior Administrative Assistant

Jessica Martinez

Program Manager

Katelyn Mason

CBA Specialist

Vienna stands directly facing the camera, wearing a white shirt.

Vienna Mbagaya, MPH

Senior Manager of Impact and Evaluation

Kerry McKenzie

Program Senior Accountant

Jesse Milan Jr., J.D.

President & CEO

Whitney Miller

Human Resources Manager

Headshot of Masill Miranda

Masill Miranda

Program Manager

Lu Osae

Program Manager

Christine Rodriguez

Senior Program Manager

Taylor Sabol

Program Associate

Rock Schuler

Senior Development Consultant

Alfrédo D. Smith

Program Manager

Joseph Stango

Senior Program Manager

headshot of Shannon, wearing glasses and a blue sweater.

Shannon Wyss

Senior Grants Manager

Our board

Eugene McCray, M.D.

Board Chair
Retired, Director, Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

June Gipson, Ph.D.

Board Vice Chair
President/CEO
My Brother’s Keeper, Inc.

Louis Tharp

Board Treasurer
Executive Director
Global Healthy Living Foundation

Duane Cramer

Board Secretary
Trustee
Founder and Creative Director
Duane Cramer Creative

Cecilia Chung

Trustee
Senior Director of Strategic Projects
Transgender Law Center

Stacey A. Ingram

Networked Initiatives Lead Quest for Health Equity

Kimberly Jeffries Leonard, Ph.D.

17th National President
The Links, Incorporated

Bill Keeton

Vice President and Chief Advocacy Officer
Vivent Health

Naina Khanna

Executive Director
Positive Women’s Network — USA

Carie Harter

Senior Director
ViiV Healthcare’s Government Relations and Advocacy

Headshot of Aryah

Aryah Lester

Deputy Director
Transgender Strategy Center

Tyler TerMeer, Ph.D.

Chief Executive Officer
San Francisco AIDS Foundation

Rafael Torruella, Ph.D.

Executive Director Intercambios Puerto Rico

headshot of Marcus Wilson

Marcus Wilson

National Policy & Advocacy Director Johnson & Johnson

Please note, with the exception of those who serve on the board of trustees as representatives from AIDS United’s Public Policy Council, trustees represent themselves and the listed organizational affiliation is for informational purposes only.

Board Policy Principles

Learn more

Carl Baloney Jr.
Vice President & Chief Advocacy Officer

cbaloney@aidsunited.org

A longtime advocate for vulnerable populations, Baloney has focused his 15 years in policy and advocacy on developing and implementing innovative policy solutions that benefit disenfranchised communities across the country, with a particular focus on the rural south.  

Baloney has excelled at the highest levels of his chosen fields and has continued to support grassroots advocacy and political engagement by taking leave to aid several political and advocacy campaigns across the country, developing volunteer recruitment programs and get out the vote efforts.  

During his tenure at Planned Parenthood Federation of America, his leadership forged the path to winning the first major expansion of comprehensive women’s health access in a decade, through the expansion of women’s health care coverage. His tenure as a policy staffer in the U.S. House of Representatives has afforded Baloney deep relationships with policymakers and an in-depth understanding of the legislative process.  

As a board member for both the National AIDS Housing Coalition and Planned Parenthood Advocates for DC, Maryland & NoVa, Baloney has expanded his ability to lead through collaboration. 

Now with AIDS United, Baloney leads the organization’s federal HIV advocacy in partnership with 50+ member organizations through 35 key issue areas ranging from access to care, harm reduction, sex workers rights, racial justice and housing.

Annie Benjamin
Program associate

abenjamin@aidsunited.org

Annie (she/her/hers) is passionate about advancing the rights and health of people who use drugs and preventing overdose deaths through evidence-based, person-centered policy approaches.

Annie received her B.S. in sociology at Ithaca College, where her passion for harm reduction was born during an internship at a syringe exchange program her senior year. She stayed on at the syringe exchange program after graduating, working as a harm reduction specialist. This work inspired her to pursue her MS in social work at Columbia University. While at Columbia, Annie pursued the policy track where she focused on drug policy reform and harm reduction, conducting fieldwork at St. Ann’s Corner of Harm Reduction in the South Bronx, and the Open Society Foundations Global Drug Policy program.

Outside of work, Annie loves doing crossword puzzles, reading, and showing everyone she knows pictures of her dog, Frankie. She is a proud New Jerseyan born and raised, and she currently resides in Hoboken, NJ.

Hannah Bryant

Hannah Bryant
Senior Manager of Strategic Projects

hbryant@aidsunited.org

Hannah Bryant (she/hers) is an experienced program manager who is passionate about community-driven solutions to improve health and well-being. She has managed a number of multi-year grantmaking initiatives and has developed effective program and grants management processes.

Most recently at the American Nurses Foundation, Hannah facilitated application, external review, peer-to-peer learning, and grants management processes for an initiative focused on transforming nursing to meet the health care needs of the future. In her prior roles at AIDS United, Hannah managed multiple cooperative agreements from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) focused on implementation of evidence-informed interventions to improve health outcomes among people living with HIV. Her work included leading grants management activities with funded sites; coordinating training, technical assistance, and learning communities; and assisting in the creation of manuals and toolkits to enable replication of successful interventions. Hannah has also worked within community-based organizations and university settings, supporting programs focused on improving the health and well-being of women and people who have experienced intimate partner violence. 

Hannah holds a master’s degree in public health from George Washington University and a bachelor’s degree in international relations and women, gender, and sexuality studies from American University. She was raised in Louisville, KY and is currently based in Prince George’s County, Maryland. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, traveling, and spoiling her dog.

Bianca Carrillo
Program Manager

bcarrillo@aidsunited.org

Bianca Carrillo enthusiastically serves as a Program Associate supporting three grant-making initiatives: Southern HIV Impact Fund, Partnering and Communicating Together (PACT), and the Positive Organizing Project (POP).

New to the field of public health, Bianca is thrilled to be at AIDS United and feels personally connected to intersectional work. She feels strongly about the evolving relationships between racial justice, social justice, and LGBTQ advancement. Above all, she finds learning how to implement strategies to promote equity is the most exciting part of the work.

Bianca holds a degree in Political Science and minor in Ethnic Studies from Pepperdine University. When she’s not at the office, Bianca is exploring D.C. with her close friends or reading anything she can find.

(202) 876-2815

Clifford Castleberry
Program Associate

ccastleberry@aidsunited.org

Clifford (he/him/his) is a Southern HIV Impact Fund program associate.Clifford obtained his B.S. in Biology/Pre-Med from the Xavier University of Louisiana and a Graduate Certificate in Public Health with an emphasis on HIV/AIDS from the University of Florida. He is currently working on his M.S. in Biology from Texas Southern University.Clifford’s path to nonprofit work was born out of his desire to be a resource for those individuals who share one or more of his intersecting identities because those individuals are often overlooked and underserved in their communities. Professionally, Clifford led the efforts to connect LGBTQ+ members to culturally competent healthcare providers in the community; assisted clients in identifying and overcoming barriers to healthcare through health navigation; spearheaded the HIV/STD testing division of a SAMHSA grant-funded program to combat the transmission of HIV/STDs in New Orleans.Clifford enjoys traveling, exploring restaurants, spending time with friends and family in his free time, and discovering new music to enjoy.

Headshot of Athena Cross

Athena Cross
Vice President & Chief Programs Officer

across@aidsunited.org

Athena Cross (she/her) is a health care leader with over 15 years’ experience leading market access initiatives, insurance contracting, health care reimbursement, public policy and health care strategy in the public and private sectors. She specializes in improving the public health care delivery system and has also led several initiatives and developed numerous strategies to improve and increase access to reproductive health and women’s health services. 

In 2016, Cross created Cross Health Care Solutions (CrossHCS), a consulting firm that focuses on addressing inequities in health. CrossHCS works with nonprofits, state and local governments, foundations, and community-based organizations to align strategies for social change. Leveraging multiple funding opportunities, CrossHCS works on the local, state and national levels to build community-led initiatives that reduce disparities in health. CrossHCS’s work includes public-private partnerships, city, and statewide initiatives, policy, and advocacy strategies.  

Cross has worked in the pharmaceutical space, leading the U.S. commercialization of a new product. In health care delivery, creating national operations strategies to accommodate the vast policy and reimbursement challenges associated with the implementation of the Affordable Care Act. And in the health insurance industry, leading pharmacy, provider networks and various citywide collaborative projects. Before these experiences, Cross worked in business development and pharmaceutical sales. 

Cross is a public health doctoral candidate at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, and is a social justice warrior, aligning her work with her commitment to addressing inequities in health for marginalized people. 

Alicia Downes, LMSW
Director of Federal Program

adownes@aidsunited.org

Alicia Downes serves as the director of federal programs.

Alicia got hooked on sociology during her first semester of college despite her family hope for a Computer Science degree. She received her Masters of Social Work from University of Kansas (Rock Chalk Jayhawk!) and has almost 10 years of experience in mental health. Alicia began work in the HIV field almost 20 years ago, when she was hired as a Ryan White Case Manager. Three months later, she was helping her uncle find HIV services, along with educating her family about HIV.

Alicia has experience managing federal grant from SAMHSA, CDC, HRSA, and private foundations. Prior to joining the staff of AIDS United, Alicia worked as a consultant on this project the AIDS United HRSA SPNS project. She also recently served as the Midwest AIDS Education and Training Center of Missouri Site and Peer Program Manager and an instructor, teaching Community Health Worker classes.

Originally from Trinidad and Tobago, Alicia can sniff out good West Indian food a mile away. In her spare time, she enjoys going to track and field and swimming events to cheer on her sons and walking her dog.

(202) 869-5104

Fryda Enriquez Pedraza
Policy Manager

fenriquez@aidsunited.org

Fryda Enriquez Pedraza (she/her/hers) has been a direct service provider in Chicago through local and nationwide organizations. Predominantly engaging with marginalized communities in public health-led services through mobile outreach. Began her nonprofit work through an AmeriCorps program, which led her to work with people that were homeless and provided HIV/STI testing and counseling as well as safer consumption supplies. That was the start of her work in the harm reduction field. Later transitioned into a position with a reproductive health and rights organization, where she provided sexual health education and testing to young people around the city and the public school system. More recently, she managed a team that provides overdose prevention programming where they serve people who use drugs and advocated for program expansions and policy changes. 

She strongly believes that there is so much work we must do for our communities and is always excited to work with compassionate people that make a difference in this field. Also, she would love to credit and give thanks to her 13-year-old nephew that acted as the photographer for her headshot.

Jessica Fernandez
Grants & Compliance Accountant

jfernandez@aidsunited.org

Jessica Fernandez brings excitement and over 8 years of experience in payroll and accounting to AIDS United. In her role as grants and compliance accountant, Jessica is responsible for payroll and human resources needs, as well as supporting the Director of Finance with accounting and financial operations.

Jessica grew up in the foster care system in Florida. Through dedication and a personal commitment to overcome the odds stacked against her, she has made a career in accounting and HR. She has extensive experience in the area, and has managed payroll and HR for over 300 employees at one time!

Working at AIDS United is Jessica’s first venture into the non-profit sector, though she has always had a personal commitment to mission-driven work and giving back. Jessica is a frequent volunteer with disabilities groups including Special Olympics, Walk In Their Shoes, and Special Needs Assistance Programs for Persons with Disabilities (SNAP). Additionally, in her spare time she also enjoys fishing, musicals and home decorating.

(202) 876-2837

headshot of Mackenzie

Mackenzie Flynn
Policy Associate

mflynn@aidsunited.org

Mackenzie (she/her) serves as the Policy Associate at AIDS United, supporting the AIDS United Policy Team with all their administrative needs! Before joining AU, Mackenzie had more than three years of experience in public health and social justice, serving on various campaigns and as an intern at several health organizations throughout the DMV and her home of South Florida. Through these internship and advocacy opportunities, she developed a passion for sexual and reproductive health and rights which led to her interest in ending the HIV epidemic.

Mackenzie has always prided herself on centering equity and intersectionality in everything that she does and is excited about the opportunity to continue uplifting and advocating for the voices of the nation’s most disproportionately affected populations.

Among her passions are her undying love for baking, exploring the city, and finding new vegan restaurants to try throughout the DMV!

She holds a B.A. in Political Science from the George Washington University with minors in Public Health and Sustainability.

Julio J. Fonseca
Senior Program Manager

jfonseca@aidsunited.org

Julio J. Fonseca is the Program Manager for AIDS United’s Partnering and Communicating Together to Act Against AIDS (PACT) Initiative and People Organizing Positively (POP). He brings 20 years of advocacy, coalition development, capacity building, and community outreach experience with a focus on supporting people impacted by HIV. Julio is excited to work on these initiatives, because he knows first hand the value of supportive communities and innovative programming as a person living with HIV himself since February 14, 2009.

Julio began his career at Mental Health America, where he worked on a research project examining the behavioral health needs of people living with HIV. This sparked a lifelong interest to help bridge gaps along the HIV treatment cascade. Most recently, Julio worked for two national HIV non-profits addressing workforce shortages, fiscal sustainability of Ryan White funded agencies, and helped address the barriers experienced by people living with HIV.  

Outside of the office, he volunteers as a “+1 Mentor” for people who are newly diagnosed with HIV at Whitman Walker Health here in Washington, D.C. and in 2014 was appointed to serve on the DC Metropolitan area Ryan White Council. Julio earned a BA in Psychology from George Mason University with distinction. Julio is also fluent in Spanish.

Beyond his volunteer work, Julio, is fascinated by karaoke, loves great conversation, is an avid pool player, and loves music.

(202) 876-2835

Eric Gelman, M.B.A., M.A.
Acting Operations Administrator

egelman@aidsunited.org

Eric Gelman, M.B.A., M.A. Mr. Gelman has over 25 years of experience working with HRSA, SAMHSA, other Federal agencies, and not-for-profit organizations. He has directed more than a dozen Federally-funded projects that support grantees and States in providing quality, community-based prevention, treatment, and recovery services. Mr. Gelman has worked extensively with States and local community-based organizations providing TA and training, strategic planning, program implementation and evaluation services, and system development support.  

Prior to founding the G2 Consulting Group, Mr. Gelman served as the Altarum Institute’s Director of Population Health Strategies. In this role, he was responsible for all operational aspects of more than two dozen projects for Federal clients as well as private foundations. He was responsible for conducting monthly operational reviews of each project to ensure that all services, deliverables, and timelines met or exceeded client needs. These reviews include analyzing project budgets and expenditures, resolving current and potential challenges, and ensuring that the organization was meeting all contractual requirements. 

Laura Gerson, CHES
Program Coordinator

lgerson@aidsunited.org

Laura Gerson, CHES, (they/them/theirs and she/her/hers), is the Capacity Building Coordinator for AIDS United. Laura comes from a background in public health, gender equity, community engagement and health education. They are a Certified Health Education Specialist with a passion for inclusive community level health education and programming, especially centering the voices of the most marginalized populations.

Laura is a graduate of American University where they earned a bachelor’s degree in Public Health and Women’s, Gender and Sexualities Studies. Through this degree, they focused on the intersections of identity and health, particularly the unique and often overlooked health needs of LGBTQ folks. They are excited to bring this passion for to the national level at AIDS United.

Outside of work, Laura can be found enjoying local DC music venues, baking bread and loving their two cats, Tribble and Ro.

(202) 391-0924

Drew Gibson
Policy Manager

dgibson@aidsunited.org

Drew Gibson is a policy manager with AIDS United. Building on his background in journalism and social work, Drew hopes to bring a unique perspective to his new job, providing policy and advocacy assistance that is both intriguing and insightful. Originally intending to pursue a career as a substance abuse counselor, Drew was serendipitously placed in a HIV case management internship during his first year at the University of Maryland-Baltimore School of Social Work and has gotten more and more involved with HIV advocacy with each passing year. He is exceedingly grateful to have stumbled into such a fulfilling line of work and cannot wait to find out what experiences and opportunities lie ahead in his time at AIDS United.

Before coming to AIDS United, Drew was a freelance writer for TheBody.com; ran his own blog, Virally Suppressed, which focused on issues related to politics, public health, and social justice; and served as a research assistant at the Office of National Drug Control Policy.

As a native of Cincinnati, Drew loves his hometown, but is just as perplexed as the rest of the country as to why his fellow Cincinnatians are so enamored with putting their chili on top of spaghetti.

(202) 876-2832

R. Warren Gill III, M.Div. M.A.
Director of Communication

wgill@aidsunited.org

Warren Gill serves as the director of communication for AIDS United. Throughout his career, Gill’s mission has focused on helping justice-seeking people, candidates and organizations speak from a place of their values to affect social change.

Most recently, Gill served as director of communications and digital strategy at the General Board of Church and Society of The United Methodist Church, and before that was a regional press secretary on the Bernie Sanders 2016 presidential campaign. He worked previously as communications manager at the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice where he addressed women’s right to choose and their access to HIV and STD prevention. Gill holds a master’s degree in political communications from the American University in Washington, D.C, as well as a Master of Divinity from the seminary at the Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley, California.

He is an expert in digital and social media and brings academic expertise in cognitive linguistics. His thesis was a strategic plan to build the progressive worldview in millennials through the lens of income inequality.

(202) 599-8259

Angel Gomez
Program Manager

agomez@aidsunited.org

Angel Gomez (she/her) is a program manager with AIDS United. She was born and raised in rural Northern California, living in Chico for a majority of the past 25 years. Angel has held many positions in community organizations over the years ranging from food justice, environmental activism, and harm reduction.

She was one of the co-founders of the Northern Valley Harm Reduction Coalition in Butte County, CA that has received national attention for the persistence the group has shown in serving their community despite many foes. Angel also worked for Northern Valley Indian Health to help build opioid programs serving natives in 5 rural counties, developing medicated assisted treatment programs as well as opioid related training and programs for native communities. She is excited to bring her knowledge and skills to support harm reduction on a larger scale.

Outside of work, Angel rescues hard to adopt dogs and cats. She usually adopts animals who are elderly, sick, have behavioral issues, or were in shelters for long periods of time. She also enjoys going to concerts and music festivals, often volunteering with backstage hospitality.

Headshot of Carli Gray

Carli Gray
Program associate

cgray@aidsunited.org

Born in Washington, D.C., Carli Gray (she/her/hers) provides administrative support for the AIDS United program team.

Her passion for cultural development and fostering sustainable resources for individuals impacted by HIV began within her own family after two members contracted HIV through intravenous drug use. Gray believes in advocating for disenfranchised groups and works toward building a brighter future, full of inclusivity.

In her off hours, she enjoys lounging with her dog and exploring art museums.

Gray holds a bachelor’s in art history with a minor in anthropology from Lycoming College. Currently, she is pursuing a master’s degree in arts and cultural management.

Bishar Jenkins Jr., MPP
Policy Manager

bjenkins@aidsunited.org

Bishar Jenkins Jr., MPP (he/his/him) is an health equity practitioner with multisectoral experience, 

spanning from federal health policy formation on Capitol Hill to policy advocacy for a national health education professional association. Bishar earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Rutgers University-New Brunswick and a Master of Public Policy (MPP) from Brandeis University. 

Bishar’s foray into public health began with a summer fellowship at AIDS United, where he outlined recommendations for how to infuse racial and gender justice frameworks into the organization’s grantmaking initiatives. In the intervening years after his summer fellowship with AIDS United, Bishar served as a Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Health Fellow. In this capacity, he served as a health policy staffer in the office of Congresswoman Frederica S. Wilson (D-FL) and as a fellow at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Division of HIV Prevention. Most recently, Bishar led advocacy efforts for a national health education professional association. 

Bishar proudly hails from Trenton, New Jersey and currently resides in the DMV area. Outside of work, Bishar enjoys live R&B music, traveling and trying out new restaurants. 

Jacobi Hunter-Wright, M.A.
Program Manager

jwright@aidsunited.org

Jacobi Hunter-Wright serves as a program manager of capacity building for the Strengthening Integrated Approaches in the Midwest Initiative. Prior to joining AIDS United, Jacobi provided program management and evaluation within CBO’s in the south specifically for CDC and state projects based in Texas. His research interest are rooted in addressing health disparities within various focus populations, education, HIV, and creating innovative and best dissemination practices to integrally involve every level of public health in providing prevention and care activities.

Jacobi has lived in Texas for the past 7 years as he previously resided in Atlanta. He earned his Master of Arts in English from Clark Atlanta University in December 2015. Previously, Jacobi graduated from Prairie View A&M University with a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice. He is currently in his second year of his PhD studies in English with an emphasis on Composition and Rhetoric at the Texas A&M Commerce University.  

In his free time Jacobi enjoys working out and exploring new restaurants, music, and books.

Bradley Kiley
Vice President & Chief Operating Officer

bkiley@aidsunited.org

Mr. Kiley has over thirty years of professional experience working in Washington, DC.  An established leader in operational management for progressive causes, Kiley played key operational leadership roles for the 1996 Democratic National Convention in Chicago, as well as for the Democratic National Committee during much of the 1990s.  Kiley was appointed Deputy Assistant to the President for Management and Administration at the White House during the second term of the Clinton Administration and was instrumental to the early and successful growth of the Center for American Progress, a think tank in Washington, DC.

Kiley’s experience and strong management skills were recognized when he was asked to help lead the incoming transition team for then President-elect Barack Obama in 2008.  It was during the presidential transition that Kiley was asked by the incoming President to join his Administration as the Assistant to the President for Management and Administration at the White House, where he served from January 20, 2009 to January 20, 2013. 

As the Assistant to the President for Management and Administration, Kiley was in charge of overseeing all day-to-day operations of the White House, including finance and budget, facilities management, information technology, human resources, security, management oversight of the Executive Residence, and oversight of the Office of Administration, which provides enterprise services to all eleven components of the Executive Office of the President.  

Following his service during the first term of the Obama Administration, Kiley served as Chief Operating Officer for the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation where he managed the end-to-end finances, human resources, and field operations for the $200 million organization. for January 2013 to 2020.  Kiley most recently served as Chief Operating Officer for Radio Free Asia.  Beginning in January 2023, Kiley will serve as the new COO for AIDS United.

A proud graduate of Texas Christian University (TCU), Kiley resides with his husband, Jamie Coley, in Chevy Chase, MD.

Vanessa stands facing directly into the camera wearing a red jacket, white shirt and gold necklace.

Vanessa Lathan
Senior Program Manager

vlathan@aidsunited.org

Vanessa Lathan (she/her/hers) is an unapologetic Black and communities of color-focused change agent driven to dismantle oppressive macrosystems and address the social determinants of equity and health in sexual and reproductive health since 2007.Lathan, becoming a peer educator as a first-year student at Morgan State University, opened her eyes to how Black communities, particularly how Black youth, women, and the LGBTQIA+ community, were disproportionately impacted by HIV. She has been steadfast in the fight against HIV ever since.Lathan’s leadership experience includes managing a routine HIV & HCV Testing and linkage to care program at the University of Maryland Medical Center downtown Baltimore campus, serving on The Greater Baltimore HIV Health Services Planning Council and the Maryland Department of Health as a Ryan White Part B Program officer. Vanessa was recognized as one of POZ Magainze’s 100 unsung heroes under the age of 30 who are taking a stand against HIV in 2014. She is also a 2022 Pedro Zamora Public Policy Fellow at AIDS United, as she has a passion for health policy.Currently, Lathan is a Social Justice Fellow with The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Foundation and a member of the American Academy of HIV Medicine’s Community Advisory Group. She is a proud and active member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc. She has served as a local trainer on her sorority’s national partnership with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Act Against AIDS Leadership Initiative from 2011-2016. Lathan is a proud double alum of Morgan State University and an advocate for historically Black colleges and universities. Lathan holds a master of public health and a bachelor of science in social work degrees.Understanding the power of her voice, Lathan proudly and boldly shows up as her authentic self. A Black woman committed to normalizing sexual health conversations and ending the HIV epidemic through an intersectionality racial and social justice lens. 

Mark Lockwood
Program Manager

mlockwood@aidsunited.org

Mark serves as the program manager on the Harm Reduction team where he oversees the Expanding Syringe Services Programs (SSPs) Capacity to Respond to COVID-19 grant portfolioIn his role, Mark leads technical assistance and program development needs to community-based organizations and Syringe Services Programs (SSPs) on harm reduction strategies, COVID-19 vaccination expansion, and comprehensive systems of care. Prior to joining AIDS United, Mark has worked in various capacities within the harm reduction movement, ranging from direct services to governmental public health, at the intersections of capacity building, program management, and community-based research. He also was a community organizer with DECRIMNOWDC, a collective of Brown and Brown sex workers, organizers, and allies, where he helped develop and strategize around sex worker rights and harm reduction policy at the local level in Washington, D.C.

Mark is truly committed to mobilizing the health, dignity, and rights of communities impacted by racialized drug policies and anti-sex worker policies. He received a B.A. in Women’s & Gender Studies from Rutgers University – New Brunswick and his M.A. in Performance Studies from New York University. He is currently pursuing his PhD in American Studies at the University of Maryland, College Park. At Maryland, Mark is writing a dissertation that critically explores the history and sexual representations of Black male sex workers in the gay adult entertainment industry. 

In his spare time, he enjoys bottomless brunch, traveling, quality time with his friends, and solo movie dates. He’s currently based in Dallas, Texas with his partner, Jared, and imaginary dog, Remi.

Judith May
Senior Administrative Assistant

jmay@aidsunited.org

Judith May is the senior administrative assistant at AIDS United. In this position, Judith supports the mission of AIDS United by providing high-level administrative support and facilitating cross-departmental communication.

Judith has enjoyed serving as administrative support in academic, corporate, and non-profit settings. A native of New Orleans, Louisiana, Judith’s hometown inspired her interest in population health and justice-centered solutions to health disparities. Back at home, she was active in a local black women’s health initiative which evolved into Judith becoming staff at the Black Women’s Health Imperative in Washington, DC. There, she served 5 years supporting the organization’s programs at the national level.

Judith is excited to share her enthusiasm for helping others. She enjoys cooking, dancing, and spending quality time with family and friends.

(202) 876-2852

Jessica Martinez
Program Manager

jmartinez@aidsunited.org

Jessica Kiaraliza Martinez is a Harm Reductionist who specializes in Urban, Suburban and Rural Stimulant Use. Jessica studied at George Washington University where she received her Bachelors in Arts with a major in American Studies and a minor in Political Science. Her focuses in American Studies included health care inequities, racism, criminalization, as well as the War on Drugs and the repercussions of “Just Say No” messaging. Jessica began a program in Washington D.C. to assist those in the chemsex community known as the, “Methamphetamine Services Program ” at HIPS. Jessica created a network of peer exchangers, and educators who would go out into the community to specifically target polysubstance use and stimulant use. Identifying key stakeholders to expand harm reduction access to people in and outside of D.C.

Jessica worked on grassroots community organizing for the DC Chem Sex Community.
Expanding upon the Meth Services Program, Jessica began connecting with people nationally to address the issue of polysubstance use, chemsex, and the need for equitable access to harm reduction services for these populations. Jessica has been featured in Filter Mag, and VICE advocating for sex workers, drug users, and people living with HIV/AIDS. Jessica has traveled and engaged with Meth users all around the nation.

Recently Jessica moved on from direct service work to consulting at NASTAD’s National TA Center to train Syringe Service Providers on best practices when beginning an SSP. These sessions included safer injection practices and general harm reduction techniques such as motivational interviewing, cultural competency, and discussing unconscious bias of drug users. These trainings have delved into common drugs and routes of administration, as well as wound care, and brainstorming creative solutions for rural and suburban communities.

Jessica currently resides in Denver, Colorado, where she works to assist drug users in her local community and learn more about rural harm reduction methods and best practices. Jessica is an avid video gamer, hiker, and chef.

Katelyn Mason
CBA Specialist

kmason@aidsunited.org

Katelyn Mason, MPH (she/they) is a Capacity Building Specialist with AIDS United. Katelyn has worked in capacity building for three years and in HIV Prevention for seven years. They assist with the development of virtual and in-person events to help capacity build HIV Prevention organizations on status neutrality, program integration, structural interventions, and more in the Midwest. Her prior work includes time as an HIV Prevention Specialist and Treatment Coordinator at nonprofits in both Lexington, KY and St. Louis MO. She received an MPH in Health Behavior and certificate in Biostatistics from the University of Kentucky

Vienna stands directly facing the camera, wearing a white shirt.

Vienna Mbagaya, MPH
Senior Manager of Impact and Evaluation

vmbagaya@aidsunited.org

Vienna Mbagaya’s experience spans over a decade of supporting public and private organizations at the global, federal, state, and community levels. Her expertise includes infectious disease epidemiology, behavioral health surveillance, clinical research coordination, and program evaluation. Her work has led to innovative research in the areas of HIV/AIDS, COVID-19, malaria, reproductive health, and social behavioral health.

In the past, Mbagaya has researched integrative health as a military healthcare offering as well as cutting-edge technologies to be used in theater to detect Traumatic Brain Injury and Post-Traumatic Stress Syndrome for the Department of Defense. Her evaluations led to identifying best practices in care delivery within military mental health programs.

Mbagaya’s work has yielded published epidemiological literature reviews on maternal mortality rates among Black women. To advance equitable maternal health outcomes, she examined and proposed legislative and policy solutions and community-based interventions.

Mbagaya holds a master’s degree in Epidemiology & Biostatistics from George Washington University School of Public Health & Health Services and a bachelor’s degree in Biology from Boston College.

Kerry McKenzie
Program Senior Accountant

kmckenzie@aidsunited.org

Kerry received her Bachelor’s in accounting from Berkeley College and her Master’s in accounting from University of Phoenix. Today, she is an accountant with over 15 years of non-for-profit experience. She is outgoing, dedicated, open-minded, and still love getting to grips with numbers and complex data to solve problems and support business success. She has lived in Miramar, Florida for the past 3 years after re locating from Brooklyn, NY. She is a wife, daughter, sister, and most importantly mother of two beautiful young ladies. When she is not at her computer, she enjoys spending time with my friends and family. Her hobbies include home improvement, reading, and gardening. 

Jesse Milan Jr., JD
President & CEO

jmilan@aidsunited.org

Jesse Milan, Jr., JD is a tireless community advocate and recognized national and international expert on HIV/AIDS policies and programs.

Milan joined AIDS United in 2016 as interim CEO and later that year was appointed by the board of trustees to the position of President & CEO. Milan brings over 30 years in executive roles in public and private sectors, including in government, not-for-profit, academic, and faith organizations. During his long career Milan has directed multi-million-dollar budgets and programs for federal, state, local, and global health agencies.

Milan’s exceptional record of public service includes serving currently on the Scientific Advisory Board for the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), on the Infectious Disease Board of the American Board of Internal Medicine, and on the board of AVAC (AIDS Vaccine Advocacy Coalition). He is an officer of the board of directors of Funders Concerned About AIDS (FCAA) and serves on the Dean’s Advisory Council for the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health.

A lawyer and trusted advisor, Milan chaired for five years the CDC/HRSA Advisory Committee on HIV and STD Prevention and Treatment. He is past chair of the board of the Black AIDS Institute, past board president of ActionAIDS (now Action Wellness), and past president of the National Episcopal AIDS Coalition. In 2007 he was designated a Fulbright Senior Specialist in Global HIV/AIDS.

Jesse has addressed millions on television and radio and given hundreds of keynote addresses and presentations at national, regional, and global conferences and events. An inspiring speaker, he has conducted three speaking tours as an American expert on HIV to seven African nations on behalf of the U.S. State Department. In 2020, he delivered the opening address to the American Medical Students Association conference and the closing address for HRSA for the 30th anniversary of the Ryan White Program.

Milan is former AIDS Director for the City of Philadelphia, was a Deputy City Solicitor for Philadelphia, and served six years a chief of staff to the president of Temple University. He has worked as a leadership and executive coach with the Dorrier Underwood firm and as a public health consultant for federal contractor firms and agencies. He has co-authored peer-reviewed articles and published numerous op-ed pieces. He is graduate of Princeton University and the NYU School of Law.

Jesse has received numerous honors including the Public Service Award in 2015 from the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care (ANAC) and the 2020 Alexander Forger Award for HIV Advocacy from the American Bar Association. Milan received in 2020 an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from Virginia Theological Seminary for his years of service to faith and HIV communities. He has been listed among exceptional HIV leaders by POZ and HIV Plus magazines and received an award from HRSA for “leading the national and international fight against HIV disease.”

Milan has been living with HIV for nearly four decades. He and his husband, Bill have celebrated over 30 years of commitment.

“Fighting HIV has been my life’s work and doing it every day with the dedicated team at AIDS is a privilege.”

(202) 876-2817

Whitney Miller
Human Resources Manager

wmiller@aidsunited.org

Whitney Miller (he/him/his), a veteran of the US Military (both in the Army and the Air Force), was attracted to Human Resources while working in the hotel industry.  For nearly 15 years now, Whitney has used his experience and knowledge to improve the professional lives of staff members, both in the for profit and not-for-profit world.  To him, team members are his customers and his approach to human resources management is to ensure the customers are happy with the services they are promised.  

Whitney, originally from New Orleans, LA, is a resident of Washington, DC.  He resides in the Brookland (NE) neighborhood of D.C. with his husband and their two boys, ages 9 and 14.  He loves to hit the gym, travel (especially cruises), eat, cook, and play tennis and basketball whenever possible.  Though the requests come in far more frequent than he can provide, Whitney is also known to cook his popular gumbo for friends every now and then.

Whitney is extremely eager to begin working alongside individuals who are dedicated to improving the lives of those affected by HIV and working to end the epidemic here in the United States.

Headshot of Masill Miranda

Masill Miranda, MSW 
Program Manager

mmiranda@aidsunited.org

Masill Miranda (she/hers) is a Massachusetts native, raised in Worcester but has lived in Boston for over a decade. She is a first-generation graduate, and a daughter of immigrants. Miranda acquired a master’s in social work from Boston University. She joined AIDS United in 2021 as the program manager for special projects of national significance.

She brings a wealth of knowledge in public health and capacity building. 

Before her role at AIDS United, she worked at the Boston Public Health Commission as the planning council program coordinator, under the Ryan White Part A grant. Her passion for addressing health inequities and uplifting the voices of people living with HIV began there.

Outside of work, Miranda loves to travel and spend time with family and friends. Furthermore, she’s enjoying life as a new plant mom.

Lu Osae
Program Manager

losae@aidsunited.org

Lu Osae (they/them) is a public health professional who joins AIDS United as a Program Manager. Prior to joining AU, Lu worked with CDC and CDC Foundation as a public health advisor and analyst for the Center for State, Tribal, Local, and Territorial Support and the Overdose Response Strategy. As a field worker, Lu brings experience in overdose prevention, sexual health education, capacity building, and quality improvement. Foremost, they are passionate about building sustainability and community power within systematically disadvantaged populations. In their free time, Lu enjoys baking, gaming, traveling, and debating the superiority of waakye over jollof.

Christine Rodriguez, M.P.H.
Senior Program Manager

crodriguez@aidsunited.org

Christine Rodriguez (she/her) is a dyed-in-the-wool harm reductionist, bringing to her senior program manager role 15 years’ of experience in drug user health across HIV, viral hepatitis, and overdose prevention. She has worked in varied roles across policy advocacy, capacity building, training and direct service in the public and nonprofit sectors.

Rodriguez is deeply committed to supporting harm reduction across the U.S. and believes the leadership of people who use drugs is essential to ending the syndemic of HIV, viral hepatitis and overdose. She earned her Master of Public Health from the University of California, Berkeley, and her Bachelor of Arts in American Studies, specializing in sociology, from Pomona College.

In her free time, Rodriguez loves a good novel, travelling (under safer circumstances), her opinionated puppy Tina, aunting her little nibblings, and Zooming with far-flung friends and family.

Taylor Sabol
Program associate

tsabol@aidsunited.org

Taylor (she/her) is a Harm Reduction program associate at AIDS United. Taylor received her B.S. in Public Health at American University. She is a current Masters of Public Health student at George Washington University. Her love for harm reduction began during her time working at the Philadelphia Department of Public Health on their overdose prevention programs. Taylor is passionate about centering the lived experiences of people who use drugs in public health programs and policy.

Outside of work, Taylor likes to frequent different coffee shops in the city, attend concerts, and read.

Rock Schuler
Senior Development Consultant

rschuler@aidsunited.org

Throughout his career in organizational development, Rock Schuler has worked with individuals and entities to achieve ambitious fundraising targets. His portfolio consists of faith-based and secular non-profits, including organizational start-ups and the management of new projects.

“Fundraising,” Rock explains, “is all about values – helping donors and funders match their values to those of an organization I believe in – an organization like AIDS United. When we work together, we can greatly amplify the impact our shared values make – in our neighbors’ lives, in our communities and throughout our nation and our world.”

Rock holds a Doctor of Ministry in Organizational Development and is a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE).

Alfrédo D. Smith
CBA program manager

adsmith@aidsunited.org

Alfrédo D. Smith (He/Him/His) is resident of Detroit, MI. Smith’s background includes 15 years of developing, implementing, and strengthening programs that enhance the lives of individuals living with and impacted by HIV. A natural born leader, Smith has also organized many social justice efforts; working diligently to progress the narrative of HIV culture.  Smith continues to work in hope of seeing an end to the disparities that plague communities by empowering its members to be proactive in resisting and overcoming oppressive systems.

Joseph Stango

Program Manager

jstango@aidsunited.org

Joseph Stango is a program manger working on the Using Evidence-Informed Interventions to Improve the Health Outcomes Among People Living with HIV initiative (E2i). He joined the AIDS United team in early 2018 after having served at other non-profit organizations.

Joseph is thrilled to be working on a project that will help improve the health outcomes of communities throughout the country affected by HIV. He is particularly passionate about helping foster programs that serve and encourage resiliency in people living through sexual trauma.

He is proud to have studied in Baltimore, Chicago, and Paris. In his time outside of AIDS United, Joseph enjoys boxing, watching old Japanese movies, and reading poetry.

(202) 876-2817

Bryan Thompson
Program Associate

bthompson@aidsunited.org

Bryan Thompson is a program associate for the Using Evidence-Informed Interventions to Improve the Health Outcomes Among People Living with HIV initiative (E2i).

Bryan is a DC Native who loves his city. That same love is what led him to nonprofit work in the area, starting out at Us Helping Us, People Into Living, an organization that caters towards Gay Black Men like himself. Through his experience at Us Helping Us, Bryan developed a passion for public health. He discovered how much joy could come from talking with people about sex, their sexual health, to build community and reduce stigma. He is thrilled to be bringing this passion to the national level in his work at AIDS United.

Outside of his work, Bryan loves Britney Spears, Game of Thrones, and unicorns. In addition, his latest craze has been traveling. He has a goal to visit all 48 continental states of the country in what he hopes to be an epic road trip around America.

(202) 876-2838

Jesús Villalobos
CBA Specialist

jvillalobos@aidsunited.org

Jesús Villalobos comes to AU with experience on HIV prevention research and implementation. A strong believer or self-actualization through self-care and self-work, Jesús’ new favorite quote is: “Reputation is what people think of you, character is what you are, and integrity is doing the right thing when no one else is looking.” 

Obrenka G. Thompson-Clayborn, MPH
Program Associate

othompson-clayborn@aidsunited.org

Obrenka G. Thompson-Clayborn prides herself on being a public health professional with a true passion for health equity strategies, grass roots capacity building and cultural humility. Obrenka is a true southern girl with her roots in Alabama. A Decatur, AL native Obrenka received her Bachelor’s degree in African American Studies from the University of Alabama, Birmingham and her Master’s degree in Public Health from the University of Memphis. Obrenka’ s passion for public health started in undergrad where she majored in Chemistry Pre-Med. However, after countless hours of studying and in all honestly failing, she changed her major to African American studies and decided that her impact would be larger in public health. While taking a Health Disparities course Obrenka was introduced to the inequities in maternal child health and realized the disparities that she was being taught could be her fate in the future. Once both of her parents were diagnosed with preventable cancers her senior year, Obrenka knew Public Health prevention work would be her purpose.

Obrenka says she has been called to Public Health and HIV prevention for one simple reason, the people. As she likes to call herself she is a “talkative introvert”. She loves socializing and helping her fellow community but also enjoys a good book by Black authors or binge watching cooking competitions on Netflix.

Raymond F. Washington III, CMA. MBA, MS
Controller

rwashington@aidsunited.org

Raymond serves as Controller under the AIDS United Operations Team, spearheading the strategic alignment of mission with finances. In support of AU’s 2018-2020 strategic plan, Raymond will continue to guide AU’s financial activities in support of achieving our mission. This will include leveraging technology, staff financial trainings, and partnering across the organization to increase efficiencies.

Raymond has a long history of nonprofit financial experience serving, Head Start, Healthy Start, and the Boys and Girls Club. Raymond has also served on several boards and national advisory committees over the course of his career.

However, his most important roles are husband and father of two.

(202) 876-2839

headshot of Shannon, wearing glasses and a blue sweater.

Shannon Wyss
Senior Grants Manager

swyss@aidsunited.org

Shannon Wyss is AIDS United’s senior grants manager. They work with our online grant application and report systems, with all grant-making initiative teams, and with applicants and grantees. They also support our Relief, Recovery and Resilience Fund and strive to make AIDS United the most efficient and effective grant-maker possible.

Previously, Shannon spent two years as a program manager overseeing AIDS United’s Transgender Leadership Initiative and the HIV Hurricane Relief Effort portfolios. Shannon has devoted their career to social justice, whether through providing technical assistance to programs serving trans people living with HIV or youth of color, supporting sexual freedom, or helping parents find appropriate schools for their children with disabilities.

Shannon embraced feminism in elementary school and has grown to support a variety of social justice movements, including LGBTQ liberation, racial justice, and youth and children’s rights. In 1993, Shannon started the process of coming out to themself. They now identify as both genderqueer and queer. They’re very pleased to work with an organization that so strongly supports trans communities throughout the country.

Outside of work, Shannon enjoys photography and occasionally publishes on social justice-related topics. They have a bachelor’s degree in international studies from Vassar College and an master’s degree in women’s studies from George Washington University. They live in the San Juan Islands, in Washington state, with their life partner Kari, Kari’s adult daughter and various adopted animals.

(202) 876-2851

Eugene McCray, M.D.
Retired, Director, Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Atlanta, GA

Dr. Eugene McCray began his career at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in 1983 as an officer in the U.S. Public Health Service in the Epidemic Intelligence Service. He was instrumental in CDC’s HIV prevention efforts from the early years of the epidemic in the United States. While serving as an EIS officer, he expanded surveillance and led multiple investigations documenting occupational transmission of HIV in hospital health care workers. His early work paved the way for the complex HIV surveillance systems of today.

In 2000, McCray became the director of the Global AIDS Program. Over the next four years, he led the establishment of CDC HIV programs in 25 countries across Africa, Asia and the Caribbean/Latin America. Eugene was instrumental in establishing and implementing CDC’s efforts for the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief.

In August 2014, McCray became director of the Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention at the CDC. At DHAP he guided the CDC’s domestic HIV prevention response and its work through health departments and community organizations.

He retired from the CDC in September 2020.

McCray is recognized globally as an expert in HIV/AIDS and TB and has dedicated most of his career to improving underserved communities’ health in the United States and around the world. He has written or cowritten numerous scholarly articles and received several awards for his scientific and public health contributions. In 2004, McCray received the U.S. Public Health Service’s highest honor award, the PHS Distinguished Service Medal, and in 2007 he received the CDC’s William C. Watson Medal of Excellence Award.

June Gipson, Ph.D.
President/CEO
My Brother’s Keeper, Inc.
Ridgeland, MS

June Gipson, PhD is the President/CEO of My Brother’s Keeper, Inc. in Ridgeland, MS. MBK is a leading provider of HIV care in the South.

Dr. Gipson has worked in the public health arena for over 14 years. During her tenure, she has worked diligently as an educator and health professional to implement an array of community-oriented programs that focus on improving the health and wellness of minority communities.

Most recently, Dr. Gipson has expanded her service range into the clinical arena with the establishment of Mississippi’s first LGBTI primary healthcare clinic, Open Arms Healthcare Center. This vibrant, patient-focused healthcare center provides innovative, Preventive, Clinical, and Mental Healthcare services to underserved, underinsured, and underrepresented populations in Mississippi, with emphasis on the Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual, Transgender, and Intersex (LGBTI) communities.

Dr. Gipson holds a Bachelor degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Southern Mississippi, a Master degree in Education Administration from William Carey College, a Specialist degree in Education Leadership, and a Doctorate of Philosophy in Urban Higher Education from Jackson State University.

Louis Tharp

Executive Director

Global Healthy Living Foundation (GHLF)

After running a successful international public relations, advertising and marketing company for nearly 20 years, taking equity positions in tech companies during the ‘90s, and working for some of the largest international PR and marketing agencies, Louis Tharp became a social entrepreneur in 1999, co-founding and funding CreakyJoints®, the digital community for millions of arthritis patients and caregivers worldwide who seek education, support, activism, and patient-centered research. In 2007, CreakyJoints became part of the Global Healthy Living Foundation (GHLF), which he also co-founded and now serves as Executive Director. GHLF focuses on health policy, advocacy, research, education and patient support issues impacting people with all types of chronic disease. In addition to his work with the foundation, he is also CEO and co-founder of TGI Healthworks, a healthcare research and marketing company.

He was previously a contract writer for The New York Times as well as other daily newspapers and automotive publications, and published his first hardcover book, The Complete Manager’s Guide to Promotional Merchandise (Dow-Jones Irwin) in 1989 – named one of the top business books of the year.

In 2005, he became the first out gay coach at the U.S. Military Academy, where he was the swim coach of the West Point Triathlon team. He published Overachiever’s Diary in 2007, a softcover book recounting the West Point tri team’s rise to national prominence. Proceeds from book sales went to the West Point triathlon team. He is also a competitive open water and pool swimmer with 13 World Masters, Gay Games and OutGames gold, silver and bronze medals.

From 2003 to 2008, he served on the board of visitors for the College of Business at Butler University, Indianapolis where he graduated with a B.S. and a B.A. in Journalism in 1972. Mr. Tharp served in the 38th Infantry Division, Headquarters, Indiana National Guard from 1972-1978. He was Chairman of the Anti-Bias Commission, Rockland County, New York, from 1994-1996; Chairman of the Board of CANDLE, a Rockland County, New York, non-profit from 1994-1997; is a former member of the board of the Victory Fund, Washington, DC, the Lambda Chi Alpha Educational Foundation, and a current member of Knights Out, U.S. Military Academy. From 2012-2018 he accepted a position in the Obama administration serving on the Army Education Advisory Committee and was recognized for his service in the Congressional Record.

Louis and his husband, Jim Bumgardner, live in Upper Nyack, NY.

Duane Cramer
Trustee
Founder and Creative Director
Duane Cramer Creative

Duane Cramer is known internationally for his inspired photography and social marketing expertise. Cramer’s first published images graced the pages of Harpers Bazaar Latin America in 1996, and since then his work has been featured in Vibe, British GQ, The New York Times and other prominent publications. He has uniquely framed and captured images from the President of the United States of America to top models, Academy and Grammy Award winning artists and Olympians. Cramer’s artistic passion gives him strength in his personal fight against HIV while visually documenting the impact of AIDS on people who too often go unnoticed.

As a trustee for organizations established to make a difference in the lives of people living with HIV/AIDS, Cramer’s contributions to world-wide prevention efforts are well known and recognized and indicative of his unwavering commitment to service.

As Founder and Creative Director of Duane Cramer Creative (DCC), Cramer and his team provide specialized advertising and business consulting services to groups, foundations and agencies. In this capacity, Cramer has become one of the most sought after photographers for organizations seeking leadership and direction in capturing and applying relevant imagery through national campaigns.

Early accomplishments and preparation for leadership started when Cramer earned his B.B.A (Marketing) from the University of Southern California, followed by 18 years of corporate leadership. He gained critical support, inspiration, and mentoring from his father, Joe. J. Cramer, Jr. PhD, who died from AIDS related complications in 1986 (while professor and associate dean of the business school at Howard University Washington, D.C.). Duane says “HIV has been living with me” since 1996.

Cramer has tapped his artistic gifts and passion to fuel his HIV activism. He encourages others, particularly African Americans, to know their HIV status and take action to live healthy lives. Cramer’s leadership and influence has become vital for the international efforts to raise awareness and bring an end to the spread of HIV/AIDS.

Cecilia Chung
Trustee
Senior Director of Strategic Projects
Transgender Law Center
San Francisco, CA

Cecilia Chung, Senior Director of Strategic Projects of Transgender Law Center, is a Health Commissioner of San Francisco and an internationally recognized human rights leader who advocates for HIV/AIDS awareness and treatment access, LGBT equality, and social justice.

An immigrant from Hong Kong, Cecilia arrived in San Francisco in 1984. Cecilia has worked locally and internationally to advance equality and justice. Over the past 25 years, Cecilia has broken ground in a number of ways including: being the first transgender woman and first Asian to be elected to lead the Board of Directors of the San Francisco Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Celebration; the first transgender woman and first person living openly with HIV to Chair the San Francisco Human Rights Commission; and, an architect of the nation’s most ambitious publicly funded program addressing economic justice within the transgender community. Her community service spans nearly two decades. In 1994, she was a member of San Francisco’s Transgender Discrimination Task Force, which documented widespread discrimination against transgender people through a groundbreaking report. The work of the Taskforce led the City to adopt many pioneering anti-discrimination ordinances and policies. During her tenure as President of the SF Pride Board, she led the organization in achieving a new standard of inclusion and excellence.

In 2004, as a founding producer of Trans March, she helped organize one of the world’s largest annual transgender events which has since been replicated in cities across the U.S. In 2005, she became the first Deputy Director of the Transgender Law Center and is widely credited with shaping the organization’s mission and programs. In 2013, she was appointed to the Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS. In 2015, Cecilia launched Positively Trans, a first-of-its-kind leadership development project that focuses on trans leaders of color living with HIV.

Cecilia’s accolades include the Levis Strauss & Co. Pioneer Award, the San Francisco AIDS Foundation Cleve Jones Award, the Human Rights Campaign Community Service Award, California Women of The Year, Out and Equal Champion of the Year Award, to name a few.

As one of the seven commissioners in San Francisco Department of Public Health, Cecilia chairs the Finance and Planning Committee that provide oversights and approve contracts with a combine budget of US$ 2.2 billions. As an Asian transgender woman living with HIV, she has dedicated herself to ending stigma, discrimination, and violence in all communities.

Stacey A. Ingram 
Networked Initiatives lead, Quest for Health Equity

Stacey Ingram (she/her) is a leader of Networked Initiatives at Quest for Health Equity. In 2020, Quest Diagnostics launched Quest for Health Equity (Q4HE), an over $100M commitment focused on providing a combination of donated testing services, education programs, partnerships, and funding to support initiatives to close the gap in healthcare disparities in underserved communities. Since joining Q4HE in the end of 2020, she has facilitated the implementation of several national and local initiatives. Some of this work has focused on addressing workforce diversity in biomedical science, impacting key co-morbidities (obesity, hypertension, & diabetes) that caused poor COVID-19 health outcomes for people of color, and promoting an urban agricultural curriculum in underserved community schools.  

In 2016, Stacey partnered with colleagues to develop and launch the African-American Business Leaders (ABL) at Quest. ABL is an Employee Business Network that provides value to the business and its 1,500 employee members by providing opportunities for professional development, community engagement and awareness-building around key health issues. As the Health Committee Lead, Stacey worked with Quest’s Disease-State Experts, the Sickle Cell Disease Association of NJ and Kaiser Permanente to implement health education programs regarding stress management, heart health, sickle cell disease and multiple myeloma. In 2020, she solicited an in-kind donation from Quest to facilitate an At-Home COVID-19 Testing program for a faith-based community in NJ.  

Since her tenure began at Quest Diagnostics in 2007, Stacey has had various finance roles, directing: Health Plan Contract Analytics, Physician Pricing, Corporate Metrics tracking and Compliance Support. Prior to Quest, Stacey had responsibilities in risk management, product management, sales operations and project optimization at Citi and AT&T.  

She earned her undergraduate degree in Economics from University of Pennsylvania and her MBA in Finance from Seton Hall University. She also has earned master’s certificates in International Business from Seton Hall University and in Project Management from George Washington University. Stacey has two children and resides with her husband, Sam, in New Jersey. 

Kimberly Jeffries Leonard, Ph.D.

17th National President of The Links, Incorporated

Kimberly Jeffries Leonard, Ph.D., a 1986 alumna of Fayetteville State University (FSU), is the 17th National President of The Links, Incorporated. It is one of the nation’s oldest and largest volunteer service organizations of women who are committed to enriching, sustaining and ensuring the culture and economic survival of African Americans and other persons of African ancestry.

Dr. Leonard, a Fayetteville native and graduate of Reid Ross High School, has a broad background in public health. She has expertise in minority health and behavioral health programs, policies, and related legislation; with subject matter expertise in minority health, HIV/AIDS, substance abuse, cardiovascular disease, health disparities, health care reform, tribal issues, re-entry and criminal justice issues, international behavioral health, co-occurring mental health and trauma, and women’s and adolescent services. She has over 30 years of applied health, minority health, and behavioral medicine research, evaluation, and technical assistance and training experience specializing in health promotion and disease prevention.

Dr. Leonard earned a Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Psychology from Howard University and a Master of Science Degree from North Carolina Central University.

Bill Keeton
Vice President and Chief Advocacy Officer
Vivent Health

Bill Keeton is the Vice President and Chief Advocacy Officer for Vivent Health where he has dedicated 15 years to the pursuit of health and social justice for people affected by HIV. At Vivent Health, Bill is responsible for the organization’s public policy advocacy, external relations, and public sector grant writing efforts supporting growing health care and prevention operations across four states. Bill has been an invited panelist at several national conferences, has organized and led efforts to enhance the local, state and federal government response to the HIV, opioid and STI syndemics with an emphasis on the Ryan White and 340B Programs, and has been appointed to the Wisconsin Public Health Council since 2012, having been elected Chair twice by his peers. He lives in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin with his three children.

Naina Khanna

Executive Director

Positive Women’s Network – USA

Oakland, CA

Naina Khanna is Executive Director for Positive Women’s Network – USA, a national organization that prepares and supports women living with HIV to be involved in all levels of policy and decision-making by: eliminating stigma, building leadership, mobilizing advocates, and changing policy. Naina currently serves on the Steering Committee for the 30 for 30 Campaign as well as the US People Living with HIV (PLHIV) Caucus, as a member of the Women’s Research Initiative (WRI), and has served on President Obama’s Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS (PACHA) since February 2010. Prior to working in HIV, Naina co-founded and served as National Field Director for the League of Pissed Off Voters, a progressive electoral organizing project focused on increasing political participation by young people and communities of color.

Carie Harter

Carie Harter (she/her) serves as Senior Director and Team Leader for ViiV Healthcare’s Government Relations and Advocacy team.   Carie has worked ten years on federal and state legislative and regulatory efforts across the United States to promote health equity and protect patient access to HIV medications. Carie works tirelessly to positively influence the environment for people with HIV and those who could benefit from PrEP and is passionate about reducing stigma and discrimination.  She works closely with the HIV community and values her relationships with both patient advocates and policy experts.  Carie was key to ViiV’s recent launch of the US Business Action to End HIV, along with Meteorite and 14 other companies.

Prior to joining ViiV, Carie spent ten years in healthcare consulting, advocacy, and government relations and is proud of passing life-saving legislation for children.  Before working in healthcare where Carie found her calling, she spent eight years in marketing for the Walt Disney Co. and Procter & Gamble.  Carie earned a Bachelor of Arts in Telecommunications from Indiana University.  While originally from Northern Kentucky, Carie lived in Chicago for eight years and currently lives in Nashville, Tennessee with her two children. 

Headshot of Aryah

Aryah Lester
Deputy Director
Transgender Strategy Center
Washington, D.C.

Aryah Lester, a nationally awarded author, speaker and educator, is a woman of trans experience from New York living in Washington, D.C.

Lester is an advisory board member of Unity Coalition, and is also national board chair of STARR — the nation’s first transgender organization, which was founded by Sylvia Rivera and Marsha P. Johnson. Lester founded Trans-Miami while sustaining the work of her organization, the National Alliance of Transgender Advocates and Leaders. She speaks with universities as a guest lecturer and is a consultant with government agencies such as the departments of Justice and Homeland Security.

Lester has received many awards and her work is featured in numerous national articles and has worked at NMAC. She was recently inducted into the national Trans100 list. She currently serves as the deputy director of Transgender Strategy Center.

Tyler TerMeer, Ph.D.
Chief Executive Officer
San Francisco AIDS Foundation

Tyler TerMeer, PhD, joined San Francisco AIDS Foundation as CEO in February 2022. Reporting to the Board of Directors and working in partnership with a leadership team, Dr. TerMeer is responsible for setting the organization’s strategic priorities with the Board of Directors and ensuring programmatic and operational excellence, strong fiscal management, effective human resources, and long-term financial viability of our work. He holds primary responsibility for building positive public awareness of SFAF as well as its associated brands, and for developing and maintaining constructive working relationships with funders, civic leaders and other organizations working toward common goals.

Dr.TerMeer came to SFAF with nearly 18 years of experience in HIV and AIDS policy, advocacy, and nonprofit management. Previously, he served as CEO of Cascade AIDS Project, the largest community-based provider of HIV services in Oregon and southwest Washington. During his time at the helm of Cascade AIDS Project, Dr. TerMeer oversaw a merger with Our House of Portland, expanded the organization from one office to seven across two states, and launched Prism Health to serve the primary care and mental health needs of LGBTQ+ community members.  

Previously, Dr. TerMeer served as the Director of Public Policy and Government Relations at AIDS Resource Center Ohio, as Director of Ohio AIDS Coalition, and on a variety of HIV and AIDS policy organization councils and boards including Positive Pedalers (PosPeds), the National Association of People with AIDS, and the National Center for Innovation in HIV Care. He is currently the co-chair of the AIDS United Public Policy Council. For more than a decade, Dr. TerMeer has supported San Francisco AIDS Foundation as a donor through his participation in AIDS/LifeCycle as both a Rider and a Roadie. 

Dr. TerMeer is personally committed to the work of SFAF. Throughout his career and personal life, he has worked to ensure that people living with HIV have the resources and support they need to live healthy lives, that LGBTQ+ community members have access to affirming and non-judgmental care, and that Black-led organizations and BIPOC leaders are supported and empowered through diversity, equity, and inclusion policies and resources. In 2012, he was honored by the White House as one of the “Nation’s Emerging LGBTQ+ Leaders,” and in 2013 was named by the White House as part of the “Nation’s Emerging Black Leadership.” 

Dr. TerMeer holds a PhD in Public Policy and Administration, and an MS in Nonprofit Management and Organization Leadership from Walden University. He is also a graduate of the UCLA/Johnson and Johnson Health Care Executive Management Program. Dr. TerMeer grew up in Central Ohio. When he is not working, he enjoys spending quality time with friends and chosen-family, running, urban hikes and spoiling his rescue dog – a pug named Riley.

Rafael Torruella, Ph.D. 
Executive Director
Intercambios Puerto Rico

Dr. Torruella earned his doctorate in social-personality psychology at The Graduate Center of the City University of New York in 2010.  His dissertation was titled “¿Allá en Nueva York Todo es Mejor?: A Qualitative Study on the Relocation of Drug Users from Puerto Rico to the United States.  Dr. Torruella was a NIDA-funded Behavioral Science Training pre- and post-doctoral fellow from 2007 to 2011 at the National Development Research Institute (NDRI) in New York City. 

Dr. Torruella presented his research at several conferences, published articles, participated as an active member of the Graduate Center’s (CUNY) Institutional Review Board, was a fellow at the Interdisciplinary Research Training Institute (IRTI) on Hispanic Drug Abuse, and is part of the board of directors of New York Harm Reduction Educators (NYHRE). Currently he is Executive Director of Intercambios Puerto Rico, a community-based organization that offers harm reduction services and engages in pro-drug-user advocacy in eastern Puerto Rico. 

headshot of Marcus Wilson

Marcus Wilson
National Policy and Advocacy Director
Johnson & Johnson

Marcus A. Wilson (he/him) has a distinguished career highlighted by accomplishments in management, community support and sales resulting in diverse population service, expanding corporate market base and recruiting/developing key personnel.

  • Outstanding leadership, communication and presentation skills.
  • Characterized as ethical, creative, enthusiastic and confident.
  • Proven skills in strategic planning, people leadership, operations and budget development/control.
  • Adapt at fostering alliances across cross-functional teams.
  • Extended success demonstrated in consistently obtaining goals and measures.

Wilson joined Johnson & Johnson in 2006. He began his current role in January 2019, creating and sustaining partnerships with national advocacy and policy organizations to protect patient and physician choice as we work to end the HIV epidemic, create equity in health care and ensure vaccines are available to every person.

His career began in the financial sector with IDS Financial Services, which is now known as Ameriprise Financial, and quickly progressed from a financial advisor to field vice-president. Wilson completed the Harvard School of Business management training program, as well as the McKinsey Academy, Black Leadership Academy’s management accelerator, and holds a bachelor’s degree in telecommunications from Michigan State University.

His first pharmaceutical position was with Eli Lilly holding the position of neuroscience institutional representative covering California’s Central Valley. After three years, he was offered a position with Bristol-Myers Squibb in their virology department as a correctional manager covering the California prisons and jails. Wilson first joined the community affairs team at Janssen Infectious Diseases team in April 2008 as the community liaison manager covering the Midwest. Wilson collaborated with community members living with and vulnerable to HIV, and those who provide their care and support. Before joining the community affairs team, Wilson held the position of corrections/Kaiser specialist. Here he was providing HIV product knowledge to the medical staff and peace officers within the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, California County jail facilities and California Kaiser facilities.

Wilson led the community liaison team from 2016-2019. The team provides information helping allied health care professionals increase their knowledge on HIV regimens based on patient needs. The team also supports the most disenfranchised and disproportionately affected patients living with HIV by working directly with clinical staff, case managers, social workers and ancillary staff, providing a series of presentations geared at educating and empowering patients to manage their health.

Wilson is an active member of Open & Out, J&J’s employee resource group striving to make J&J the employer and health care company of choice for the LGBTQ+ community. He has served on the boards of AIDS Foundation Chicago and Chicago Black Gay Men’s Caucus. Wilson has provided support and guidance to numerous community organizations utilizing his policy and advocacy knowledge and relationships. He resides in Orlando, Florida, with his partner, Steven Jackson.