Our team and 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

Christina Adeleke, Esq.

Senior Policy Manager for Community Mobilization and Health Equity

Carl Baloney Jr.

Vice President for Public Affairs & Chief Policy Officer

Hannah Bryant

Senior Program Manager

Bianca Carrillo

Program Manager

Clifford Castleberry

Program Associate

Headshot of Athena Cross

Athena Cross

Vice President and Chief Programs Officer

Headshot of Christopher Cuevas, smiling, looking directly at camera.

Christopher Cuevas

Senior Project Manager

Alicia Downes, LMSW

Director of Federal Programs

Jessica Fernandez

Grants and Compliance Accountant

Mackenzie Flynn

Policy and Annual Conference Manager

Riley Gardner

Communication Manager, Impact

Laura Gerson, CHES

Program Coordinator

Drew Gibson

Director of Advocacy

Gabriel Glissmeyer

Program Manager

Angel Gomez

Program Manager

Carli Gray

Program Associate

D. D’Ontace Keyes

Senior Communication Manager

Jacobi Hunter-Wright, M.A.

Senior Program Manager

Bradley Kiley

Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

Vanessa Lathan

Senior Program Manager

Mark Lockwood

Program Manager

Judith May

Senior Administrative Assistant

Jessica Martinez

Program Manager

Katelyn Mason

CBA Specialist

Vienna Mbagaya, MPH

Senior Manager of Impact and Evaluation

Leslie McGorman, MPPA

Director of Policy and Strategy

Kerry McKenzie

Program Senior Accountant

David Melendez

Development Director

Jesse Milan Jr., J.D.

President and CEO

Whitney Miller

Human Resources Manager

Masill Miranda

Program Manager

Agnes Nkhata-Blackwood

Communication Manager, Marketing

Sattie Nyachwaya

State Policy Manager

Taylor Sabol

Program associate

Aiden Sanchez

Program Associate

Alfrédo D. Smith

Program Manager

Joseph Stango

Senior Program Manager

Jesús Villalobos

CBA Specialist

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.

Kimberly Jeffries Leonard, Ph.D.

Secretary
17th National President
The Links, Incorporated

Louis Tharp

Board Treasurer
Executive Director
Global Healthy Living Foundation

Cecilia Chung

Senior Director of Strategic Projects
Transgender Law Center

Carie Harter

Senior Director
ViiV Healthcare’s Government Relations and Advocacy

Stacey A. Ingram

Networked Initiatives Lead
Quest Health Equity

Bishar Jenkins Jr.,MPP

Student, Yale Divinity School

Bill Keeton

Vice President and Chief Advocacy Officer
Vivent Health

Headshot of Aryah

Aryah Lester

Executive Director
Transgender Strategy Center

Tyler TerMeer, Ph.D.

Chief Executive Officer
San Francisco AIDS Foundation

Venita Ray

Independent Consultant
Venita Ray Consulting

  Edward Suarez, Jr., PsyD

Assistant Professor
University of Miami/Jackson Health Systems

Rafael Torruella, Ph.D.

Executive Director
Intercambios Puerto Rico

headshot of Marcus Wilson

Marcus Wilson

Senior Director, Community Engagement and Advocacy
Gilead Sciences, Inc.

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

Christina Adeleke, Esq.

Senior Policy Manager. for Community Mobilization and Health Equity

cadeleke@aidsunited.org

Christina Adeleke, Esq., is a senior policy manager for community mobilization and health equity at AIDS United. 

With a passion for social justice, Adeleke utilizes her insatiable curiosity and determination to create a better world for all, particularly for vulnerable and historically underserved communities. 

Prior to joining AIDS United, Adeleke held the position of policy and communications manager at the North Carolina AIDS Action Network. In this role, she actively engaged with individuals living with HIV and impacted communities, including communities of color, rural communities, individuals with hepatitis, individuals who use drugs and LGBTQ+ individuals. Adeleke closely monitored state and federal legislative and administrative activities, actively participating in various policy coalitions and committees focused on issues affecting those living with and vulnerable to HIV. Notably, she led initiatives to modernize North Carolina’s HIV criminal law and played a pivotal role in the development of the state’s Ending the HIV Epidemic plan. 

Prior to her work at NCAAN, Adeleke served as the coalition organizer at Equality North Carolina, an organization dedicated to securing equality rights and justice for LGBTQ North Carolinians. 

Originally from Miami, Florida, Adeleke takes pride in her hometown. In her leisure time, she enjoys practicing yoga, spending quality time with friends, exploring diverse food and arts scenes, engaging in antiquing and thrifting, and embarking on travel adventures.

 

 

 

Carl Baloney Jr.
Vice President for Public Affairs & Chief Policy 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.

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. 

Headshot of Christopher Cuevas, smiling, looking directly at camera.

Christopher Cuevas
Senior Program Manager

ccuevas@aidsunited.org

Christopher Cuevas (they/them) is a lifelong peace practitioner, educator and community organizer, and leads their work for cultural transformation by centering the unapologetic and unwavering power of radical love.

Cuevas interconnects their lived experience and drives the necessary heart work of building a culture of peace, compassion and change through advocating for racial, gender and economic justice movements. Through their work with state, national and transnationally recognized initiatives and organizations, Cuevas has led conversations and facilitated education campaigns specifically addressing structural racism, health equity and LGBTQ+ issues.

In acknowledgment of their commitment to culture change, they have been honored by:

  • Equality Florida, Voice of Equality, 2017.
  • WUCF, the Public Broadcasting Service affiliate in Central Florida, American Graduate Champion, 2018.
  • Contigo Fund, Legacy Award, 2022.
  • POZ Magazine, POZ 100, 2022.

In 2016, following the horrific massacre at the Pulse Nightclub in Orlando, Florida, Cuevas co-founded and served as the executive director of QLatinx, a racial, social and gender justice movement working toward the advancement of intersecting LGBTQ+ Latinx issues.

Under the direction of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Cuevas led efforts to address health disparities and introduce comprehensive measures directly supporting communities living with HIV in the South. Empowered by the Trans Justice Funding Project, the nation’s largest transgender-led philanthropic initiative, Cuevas has worked to drive nearly $1 million dollars to initiatives led by and serving transgender people across the U.S., Puerto Rico and American Samoa.

Appointed by Mayor Buddy Dyer in 2019, Cuevas served on the Advisory Board for Orlando’s Office of Multicultural Affairs, working to highlight and address the needs of the city’s growing multicultural community.

Cuevas previously served as a trustee for Philanthropy Southeast, the premier philanthropic network focused on the American South and U.S. Caribbean territories, where they led efforts to champion equitable and trust-based practices in Southern philanthropy.

Cuevas most recently led the LGBTQ+ equality grantmaking program for the Laughing Gull Foundation, the nation’s largest founder of LGBTQ+ initiatives in the South, where they managed a $2 million grant portfolio, supporting LGBTQ+ organizations working at the intersections of racial, gender and economic justice.

Cuevas holds a bachelor’s degree from Rollins College. They are currently based in Durham, North Carolina.

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 and Annual Conference Manager

mflynn@aidsunited.org

Mackenzie Flynn (she/her) serves as the policy and annual conference manager at AIDS United. Before joining AIDS United, Flynn 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 Washington, D.C., area, 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.

Flynn 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 D.C. area.

She holds a B.A. in political science from the George Washington University with minors in public health and sustainability.

Riley looking into the camera smiling awkwardly. He's got black glasses and a red plaid shirt on.

Riley Gardner
Communications Manager, Impact

 
Riley Gardner (he/him) works for AIDS United as the impact communication manager.
 
Originally from South Texas, he relocated to New Mexico where he focused his journalistic career to covering the region’s queer, disabled and Indigenous communities (and particular structural challenges oppressed groups fight against).
 
The Colorado Pro Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists honored Gardner in 2022 with its Top of the Rockies award for his his coverage on accessible food programs within low-income communities. A firm believer in the power of storytelling, he’s thrilled to expand AIDS United’s digital footprint through design, video, digital analytics and more. He joined the AIDS United team in 2023. 
 
Beyond all this, he’s (rather annoyingly) passionate about cinema, classics, literature, and queer representation anywhere and everywhere. Plus he’s into the golden age of ocean liners. As of this moment, every plant he’s tried to grow has died, though this year’s geraniums are hanging in there. Gardner is currently based out of Santa Fe, New Mexico.

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

Gabriel Glissmeyer

Program Manager

Gglissmeyer@aidsunited.org

Gabriel Glissmeyer, MPH (He/Him) is the Program Manager of the Transgender Leadership Institute. He joins the team with over a decade of experience in LGBTQ+ health, policy advocacy, and health equity on local, national, and international levels. He holds a B.A. in Exercise Science from Augsburg University and an MPH in Health Education and Promotion from Utah State University. His research interests are cardiovascular diseases in transgender populations, cancer in LGBTQ+ communities, LGBTQ+ participation in sports and exercise, and adoptee health disparities.

Gabriel has embodied his value of equity with a deep commitment to reducing health disparities, especially for transgender people of color. Fueled by his own adverse experiences of navigating healthcare and public health systems, he has used this as a springboard to create programming, educate healthcare providers and public health workers, and bring awareness to equity issues.

In his spare time, Gabriel enjoys reading, thinking about books he wants to read, and going to local bookstores. He currently resides in Salt Lake City, Utah.

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.

D. D’Ontace Keyes
Senior Communications Manager

dkeyes@aidsunited.org

D’Angelo D’Ontace Keyes (D. D’Ontace Keyes) (he/him/his) is an award-winning leader, communicator, educator and artist. Keyes brings over a decade and a half of experience executing marketing, communication and community engagement strategies in support of the HIV and LGBTQ social justice institutions in the movement. 

Before joining AIDS United, Keyes served as director of communications for AIDS Foundation Chicago, where he conceived and implemented notable communications strategies that advanced AFC’s policy, development and community mobilization goals through visual branding, digital communication, and social media and marketing campaigns with a focus on ending the epidemics of HIV and homelessness.

Before this life-changing role, Keyes served in various HIV service organizations in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and New York City, New York, while earning a distinct performance arts, design and innovation education. 

Keyes studied classical and jazz vocal performance at the famed Chicago Academy for the Arts before attending and graduating from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia. Keyes has performed on renowned concert hall stages, including the Academy of Music, Merriam Theater and the Arts Bank.

After cultivating his natural skills in marketing and fundraising through student-led efforts in the community and on campus, Keyes advanced his education to earn a master’s degree in business administration from Jefferson University (formerly Philadelphia University). While at the university, he participated in an international work-study program with the Aalto University Of Art, Design and Architecture in Helsinki, Finland. He co-led a global business and design team to solve industry challenges and took advantage of the opportunity to perform in the Finnish jazz mecca.  

The product of the child welfare system, Keyes was the protege of the late Robert K. Burns and Michael Hinson Jr. and nationally recognized leader Louie Ortiz-Fonseca. As a youth and public servant, Keyes had been recognized significantly for his service to the HIV Prevention Trial Network, Philadelphia Black Gay Pride and Young Black Gay Leadership Initiative. Mostly prominently, Keyes served as a mayoral appointee commissioner to the Philadelphia Commission of Human Relations, where he worked to enforce the Fair Practice Ordinance and led actions within the commission to address anti-Black LGBTQ+ racism and discrimination. 

As a longtime survivor living with HIV, Keyes has been committed to the innovation of Ryan White programs and the increased prioritization of people living with HV in leadership nationwide. He proudly serves as a subject matter expert with the Center for Quality Improvement and Innovation, where he serves as a consultant and coach for various learning collaboratives and affinity networks that advance the work of the federal Ending the HIV Epidemic Initiative.  

In his free time, Keyes continues to pour into projects that elevate Black gay, queer and transgender men. He is one of six Mobilizing Our Brothers Initiative founders and serves on the ViiV Healthcare Accelerate Advisory Board. He operates a creative studio, Lake & Tremaine, with emerging creative artists who commission their gifts to advance the communication and mobilization of social good. He continues to build  artistry in music and faith in GOD daily.

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.

Leslie McGorman smiles while looking forward.

Leslie McGorman, MPPA
Director of Policy and Strategy

lmcgorman@aidsunited.org

Leslie McGorman (she/her) serves as the director of policy and strategy at AIDS United. She joins the organization with 20 years of health-policy experience ranging from state legislative affairs to nonprofit consulting. She comes to the organization most recently from a trade association representing frontline HIV clinicians and credentialed providers, where she led the organization’s policy and advocacy initiatives.

McGorman comes to the role with significant political experience on both the coordinated and independent-expenditure side of campaigns, as well as having managed a congressional reelection campaign in 2020. She served as a strategic consultant for nonprofit organizations that included assisting community leaders in COVID-19 response and distribution of community aide and vaccines.

Prior to that, McGorman served as a longtime federal lobbyist with a leading political and advocacy organization focused on preserving and expanding reproductive rights. There she led a team of health care lobbyists and was considered a nationally recognized subject matter expert on the status of reproductive rights in the United States.

She is motivated by her belief that health care is a human right.

She received her master’s degree in public policy and administration from the California State University, Sacramento, and her undergraduate degree in sociology from Arizona State University.

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. 

David Melendez
Development Director

dmelendez@aidsunited.org

David Melendez is a seasoned leader with over 25 years of experience in senior roles across development, marketing, communication and advancement. Throughout his career, he has been instrumental in building funding models that sustain impactful programs in education, health care and community development. His expertise extends to crafting and nurturing development programs within higher education institutions, showcasing a deep understanding of fundraising strategies that drive growth and engagement.

Melendez’s career has been marked by a relentless commitment to spearheading initiatives that support vital causes, advocating for educational equity, health care access and community empowerment. His extensive track record in senior leadership roles underscores his ability to devise and implement transformative strategies, leveraging his skills to secure substantial funding and drive significant growth for organizations. Melendez continues to be an influential figure, dedicated to advancing philanthropic endeavors and fostering positive social change through strategic leadership in fundraising and development.

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.

Agnes Nkhata
Marketing Communications Manager

ankhata@aidsunited.org

Agnes Nkhata (she/her) serves as the marketing communication manager for AIDS United. Nkhata is a dedicated digital marketing communications specialist, social entrepreneur and HIV advocate with a passion for making a positive impact in the lives of those impacted by HIV globally.

With over 10 years of experience in public health and communication, Nkhata has been actively involved in community outreach coordination, HIV prevention education, and improving the quality of life for individuals living with HIV.

She brings a wealth of experience in brand building and digital communication marketing for organizations most recently working with The International Community of Women Living with HIV North America and The U.S. PLHIV Caucus. With a keen eye for strategic branding, she has successfully developed and implemented marketing campaigns that have elevated the visibility and impact of various companies. Her expertise in social media management and marketing has helped organizations effectively amplify their mission, values and programs to a wider audience.

Throughout Nkhata’s career, her commitment to HIV advocacy has been recognized and celebrated. The Afiya Center named her a Community Champion in 2022 for her tireless efforts in raising awareness and fighting against the stigma surrounding HIV.

Beyond her professional endeavors, Nkhata has a deep passion for music, the arts and uplifting early childhood education in Malawi, Africa, her birthplace. She is actively involved in supporting early childhood education initiatives in Malawi.

Nkhata has also established a strong personal brand as an international DJ. She has leveraged her artistic career to provide a platform to raise awareness and funds for marginalized communities in the United States and worldwide.

Nkhata diverse skill set exemplifies the transformative power of using one’s influence and talents to effect positive change in the world.

Sattie Nyachwaya faces directly forward smiling.

Sattie Nyachwaya
State Policy Manager

snyachwaya@aidsunited.org

Sattie Nyachwaya (she/her) considers herself a community weaver and activist. Nyachwaya believes in building and creating new leaders in marginalized communities with advocacy and storytelling.

Nyachwaya started her work in the HIV movement in 2018, working at a community pharmacy focusing on medication assistance for living with and vulnerable to HIV, and supporting the 340B program.

She later transitioned into the nonprofit sector, where she educated and explained the fundamentals of advocacy and the Texas legislative framework, mastering outreach, partnerships and engagement.

Outside of work, she is passionate about reproductive justice, Black women, and LGBTQ voices as she sits as the secretary of board directors at The Afiya Center in Dallas Texas.

Nyachwaya is the winner of the 2022 DCEO Outstanding Healthcare Advocate Award, an alumni of the New Leaders Council Austin, and is co-founder and co-chair for Dallas’ first BIPOC-led reproductive march. Nyachwaya is in Dallas and is completing her master’s in public administration.

She loves karaoke and spending time with her spouse, family and close friends. Nyachwaya is determined to foster a better, stronger community with intentionality.

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.

Aiden Sanchez
 Program Associate

sanchez@aidsunited.org

Aiden Sanchez, a native of Montgomery County, MD, currently resides in Washington, D.C. He is a passionate individual who finds solace in reading fantasy novels and revels in the joy of dancing with friends. Aiden earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy from the University of Maryland. Enthusiastic about addressing the unacceptable health disparities prevalent in the United States, he embraces the opportunity to contribute to the mission of AIDS United. Aiden assumes the role of Program Associate within the esteemed 2iS team, and his arrival is met with great anticipation and excitement.

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

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.

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.” 

Isabel Vlahakis

Policy Assistant

isabel.vlahakis@aidsunited.org

Isabel Vlahakis (she/her) is a Policy Assistant with AIDS United.  

Vlahakis recently graduated from Georgetown University with a bachelor’s degree in global health. During her time in undergrad, she discovered a passion for promoting health through law and policy, especially in vulnerable communities. She’s especially interested in reproductive and migrant health, and she wrote her thesis on deportation policy and how it impacts migrant substance abuse.  

Vlahakis is driven by the principle that health, especially mental health, is a human right. She has worked on both the clinical and social science sides of HIV, assisting in research on HIV transmission and the impact of social environments on HIV prevalence. She is very excited to be working with AIDS United in policy and advocacy.  

Outside of work, she is a multimedia artist who enjoys painting, ink drawing and digital art. Her artwork has been published in Georgetown’s “Bossier” magazine. Vlahakis also loves cooking, learning languages and watching “Game of Thrones” and “The Walking Dead.”  

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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. 

Bishar Jenkins Jr.,MPP 

Student, Yale Divinity School

Jenkins is a Black and queer health equity practitioner with experience across multiple sectors. He earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Rutgers University and a master’s degree in public policy from Brandeis University. Currently, Jenkins is pursuing a master of divinity at Yale University.

Jenkins began his involvement in public health as a summer fellow at AIDS United, where he developed recommendations for incorporating racial and gender justice frameworks into the organization’s grantmaking initiatives. Following this fellowship, Jenkins served as a Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Health Fellow. In this role, he worked as a health policy staffer for Congresswoman Frederica S. Wilson and as a fellow at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Division of HIV Prevention.

As the policy manager at AIDS United, Jenkins played a key role in overseeing and coordinating the launch of the long-awaited Racial Justice Index. This index, developed by AIDS United and its Public Policy Council, is the first nationwide survey of the HIV workforce focusing on racial justice and Blackness.

Jenkins has a particular passion for HIV prevention among Black and queer youth. He acknowledges the importance of his community, faith and ancestors in guiding him toward embracing his Black queerness and recognizing his inherent worth. Jenkins considers it his calling to extend the same love and support to other Black and queer young individuals, ensuring they understand that their lives matter unequivocally.

Originally from Trenton, New Jersey, Jenkins proudly identifies as a “Jersey boy.”

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.

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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.

Venita Ray

Independent Consultant 

Venita Ray Consulting

Before initiating Venita Ray Consulting, Venita served as the co-executive director of the Positive Women’s Network-USA (PWN-USA), a national membership organization for women living with HIV, from 2019-2022. Venita also served as the public policy manager for Legacy, a federally qualified health center in Houston, TX. While at Legacy, she monitored HIV-related health policy and managed an advocacy training program for people living with HIV. In 2016, Venita led a citywide effort to end the HIV epidemic in Houston and drafted the Roadmap to Ending the HIV Epidemic in Houston. Venita has led anti-criminalization efforts in Texas, defeating an effort to allow HIV test results to be subpoenaed in criminal prosecutions and defeated attempts to introduce new HIV criminalization legislation. Venita was diagnosed with HIV in 2003 and is deeply committed to equity, racial justice, and developing the leadership and meaningful involvement of people living with HIV in all decisions that impact the HIV community.

 Edward Suarez, Jr., PsyD

Assistant Professor

 University of Miami/Jackson Health Systems

Born and raised in Miami, Dr. Suarez is a licensed psychologist who provides care at the intersections of mental health, HIV, and substance use disorders. He was educated and trained in Seattle Washington in health psychology and now serves as an attending psychologist and assistant professor at the University of Miami/Jackson Health Systems. His academic and clinical training has involved Federally Qualified Health Centers, Department of Corrections, Community Mental Health Centers, homeless shelters, and hospital systems. He is one of the co-founders of the first legal needle exchange program in the state of Florida which started at the University of Miami (IDEA SSP). To date, he has been involved in publishing manuscripts consisting of HIV outbreak detection and response at the IDEA SSP and building specific treatment teams within the Jackson Hospital System. He provides street medicine services to those experiencing homelessness through a partnership with Camillus House, Miami’s largest shelter. He considers himself a social architect who builds invisible bridges that connect people to care. Above all else, He is a father of two girls and married to a brilliant veterinarian.

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. 

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Marcus Wilson
Senior Director, Community Engagement and Patient Advocacy, U.S. Virology
Gilead Sciences, Inc.

Marcus A. Wilson (He/Him) is the Senior Director, Community Engagement and Patient Advocacy, U.S. Virology at Gilead Sciences, Inc. Marcus has enthusiastic contributed to ending the HIV epidemic and improving health equity globally for more than two decades. His work with national advocacy organizations has protected patient and physician choice, increased equity in healthcare, and improved access to life saving therapies.

Marcus is an active member of the LGBTQ+ community. He has served on the boards of AIDS Foundation Chicago, Chicago Black Gay Men’s Caucus, and currently serves on the boards of ONYX, and LLC. Marcus has provided support and guidance to numerous community organizations utilizing his policy and advocacy knowledge and esteemed relationships. In his free time, Marcus enjoys international travel, spending time with family and friends, and volunteering within his community. He is a native of Detroit, MI who currently resides in Orlando, FL with his partner, Steven.