George Ayala, PsyD
Executive Director
Dr. Ayala has worked in the non-profit HIV/AIDS sector managing multi-million dollar budgets and supervising large, interdisciplinary teams of professionals for over 20 years. A clinical psychologist by training, Dr. Ayala has conducted HIV social science and intervention research since 1996. His research has mainly focused on understanding the mechanisms through which social discrimination affects the risk for HIV among gay men of color in the U.S.
Nadia Rafif
Director of Policy
Nadia comes to the MSMGF from her post as Executive Director of Association de Lutte Contre le Sida (ALCS) in Marrakech, Morocco, where she led the development of numerous regional projects across the Middle East and North Africa. Nadia will work with MSMGF constituents, staff, and leadership to advance MSM health and human rights through high-level advocacy, strategic policy analysis, and capacity building for grassroots advocates and organizations working with MSM.
Mohan Sundararaj, MBBS, MPH
Director of Public Health Programs
A trained physician with a master’s degree in Public Health, Mohan is responsible for providing technical input to local public health programs targeting marginalized communities and developing responses to in-country capacity needs. He transitioned into this role from the MSMGF policy team where he advanced policy initiatives and provided support to the MSMGF Transgender Reference Group.
Sonya Arreola, PhD MPH
Sr. Research and Programs Advisor
Dr. Arreola has extensive experience leading community based participatory research projects (CBPR); disseminating results across multiple mediums and audiences; and using findings to advocate for the needs of marginalized communities. Currently, Dr. Arreola’s research at the MSMGF focuses on uncovering the individual, environmental and social determinants of sexual health among gay men and other men who have sex with men.
Mahri Bahati, MPH
Public Health Advisor
Mahri comes to us with varied experience across the HIV/AIDS continuum of care including anti-retroviral medication access, HIV prevention, harm reduction, and community mobilization. Her professional interests include LGBT health, HIV treatment adherence, and the prevention of sexually transmitted infections. Mahri is excited to join MSMGF and be a part of positive change for LGBT people around the world.
Omar Baños
Senior Technical Advisor
Omar Baños has worked in HIV prevention, treatment education, policy, and capacity development in Latin America for more than 12 years. As the Policy Initiatives Field Manager, Omar works to develop, plan, and implement capacity building trainings and advocacy campaigns, as well as represent the MSMGF consistently and appropriately with international and regional networks worldwide.
Lily May Catanes, MBA
Interim Director of Finance and Operations
With foundations in international business, leadership, and marketing, Lily brings experience ranging from event, project, and office management to bookkeeping and instructional design for online education and training. In her 6th year at the MSMGF, she monitors administrative, financial, and reporting requirements outlined by funders.
Pato Hebert, MFA
Sr. Education Advisor
Pato Hebert has been working in HIV prevention since 1994. His work has focused on community mobilization, cultural production, harm reduction, HIV prevention programming, and information messaging. He works to provide connective tissue across multiple projects of the MSMGF, including research and policy efforts.
Sherrie Hicks
Sr. Accountant
Sherrie brings twelve years of non-profit accounting experience supporting domestic and international locations. Sherrie’s IT accounting work has included implementation of Electronic Health Records of Dental Clinic records and accounting software conversion and customized Crystal Reports. She also worked in the private sector for a CPA and accounting companies. Sherrie has an accounting degree from Rose State University and an active member of National Association of Black Accountants and California CPA Associations. At MSMGF, Sherrie plays a vital role in budgeting, financial reporting, cost and productivity analysis, and in the preparation of MSMGF’s regular financial statements.
Stephen Leonelli, MPP
Sr. Policy Advisor
Stephen Leonelli has worked predominantly in China’s LGBTI and anti-discrimination movements, as well as with UNDP’s regional Being LGBTI in Asia Initiative and ILGA-Europe. Fluent in Mandarin and with a master’s degree in Public Policy, Stephen has joined the policy team at MSMGF to provide strategic analysis and capacity building for human rights advocacy.
Johnasies McGraw
Operations & Board Coordinator
Johnasies has worked in the nonprofit sector for over a decade primarily in area of neighborhood and community development. He’s held a variety of operations and program coordination roles while working at the grassroots level with community based groups. He will provide support to the MSMGF Operations staff, Board of Directors, and steering committee members as the Operations and Board Coordinator.
Greg Tartaglione
Sr. Communications Officer
At MSMGF, Greg works to implement the organization’s strategic vision and unique voice in the ever-shifting landscape of public health and human rights. Greg brings his experience from Out & Equal Workplace Advocates and SIECUS as a social marketer, graphic designer, and brand ambassador to advocate for sexual health around the world.
Johnny Tohme
MS, Community Mobilization Manager
Johnny comes to MSMGF from directing M-Coalition (the first network of MSM & HIV activists in the MENA region) in Beirut, Lebanon. Started as an LGBT rights activist, he’s a clinical psychology graduate who worked in sexual health service delivery, community behavioral research and community organizing. As part of the policy department, Johnny will be working on the consortium of MSM and Transgender networks, the youth reference group of MSMGF and will be involved with the programs departments.
Zamora
Contracts & Grants Manager
Zamora brings years of fundraising and administrative experience, including her work as a cultural events producer working through coalitions among communities of color and LGBT and feminist organizations. As a professor of Ethnic Studies, her classes include Chicana feminist analysis and an emphasis on understanding how gender, sexuality, class, language and nation have historically been used as tools in oppression. Zamora has lead several Native American drums and sees her work as a ceremonial singer and song teacher as an important form of community healing.
