We’re very excited to announce this year’s amazing lineup of speakers:

Chris is a highly motivated Public Health Professional with a passion for ending the HIV epidemic, with expertise in community engagement, program development, and capacity building. Chris has a proven track record of success in bridging the gap between research and real-world impact and serves as project manager and public health consultant leading initiatives to improve access to care and reduce HIV transmission among vulnerable communities. Chris holds a Master of Science in Public Health from the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston and is currently pursuing a Doctor of Public Health at Mercer University. Beyond their professional accomplishments, he is a dedicated ballroom participant and community advocate, serving on the boards of several non-profit organizations and actively involved in local initiatives to improve health outcomes for all.

I have been working in the field of public health for over 21 years. Very self-motivated person who is always looking for ways to innovate the status quo. As a Community Health Worker Instructor, I enjoy developing and facilitating capacity building programs. In my current role in development, I have learned to be resourceful, patient and identify creative ways to meet the goals of our organization’s mission statement.

Darnell is a health equity strategist and public health professional with over 10 years of experience dedicated to supporting communities he loves. As Senior Program Analyst on NACCHO’s HIV team, he aids local jurisdictions in implementing high-impact projects and federal initiatives like Ending the HIV Epidemic (EHE). Previously, Darnell served as Director of Health Department Initiatives at Southern AIDS Coalition, where he led technical assistance and capacity-building efforts for state health departments and local EHE jurisdictions. At the Virginia Department of Health, he managed CDC demonstration projects addressing social determinants of health and improving PrEP access for MSM and Transwomen of color. He also created the Ryland Roane Fellowship Program to develop young, Black MSM for careers in the HIV services workforce. As founder of HIMPACT Consulting, Darnell specializes in workforce training tools for peer navigators, enhancing their skills to improve health outcomes in diverse communities.

Ari Villanueva (They/Them) has worked in public health and communications for over six years, starting their journey through reproductive justice work. During their college years, Ari enjoyed learning from advocates while working for advocacy organizations and also while student organizing around reproductive justice and systemic issues. These experiences better informed their work when completing a Master’s in Public Health at Emory University. During their experience at Emory, they became the campus’s sexual health educator graduate assistant and also worked as the president of the Rollins Queer Trans Collaborative.
Ari now works as a program evaluation fellow at HIV.gov, a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services program. While they work on various projects, Ari mainly focuses on the cautious and transparent use of Generative AI at HIV.gov. Ari wants to combine their various experiences in public health, community organizing, and communications to support organizational function, content creation, and innovation at HIV.gov.

Rashan Broadnax joined the HIV.gov team in 2023. As the Administrative Lead for Tracking and Management, Rashan brings a wealth of knowledge about HIV.gov, its objectives, and its crucial role in the fight against HIV and AIDS.
In his role, Rashan oversees the strategic planning and day-to-day operations of HIV.gov, ensuring efficient management and effective implementation of our programs. He understands the complexities of HIV and AIDS and its impact on diverse communities across the United States.
Rashan’s expertise is directly applicable to federal programs and policies related to HIV and AIDS, including many federal HIV programs, policies, and resources. He has been instrumental in spearheading our training efforts on generative AI and community engagement as part of the “HIV.gov to the People” program, showcasing his commitment to leveraging innovative technologies and approaches aligned with our mission.

Gwendolyn Ellis-Wilson is the Director of Operations at Minority AIDS Support Services (MASS), Inc., where she has dedicated 19 years to supporting individuals impacted by HIV/AIDS. A skilled grant writer and program supervisor, she oversees grant implementation and reporting, fostering collaboration and community empowerment. With over two decades of experience, Gwendolyn has worked directly with clients as a Medical Social Worker Supervisor and facilitated CDC-endorsed interventions such as CLEAR and Healthy Relationships.
A Navy veteran, Gwendolyn holds a Master of Social Work from Norfolk State University and an MBA from Liberty University. She is also a Certified Phlebotomy Technician and has served as a grant reviewer for HRSA and Virginia’s State Health Department. Her achievements include developing prevention programs integrating PrEP, rapid-start care, and HIV/STD education. A passionate marathon runner and avid reader, Gwendolyn has presented at BeU 2023 in Tarrant County and P3 2024 in Austin County.

Danielle Houston has over 15 years of experience in HIV care, health equity, and healthcare optimization. With a background in community mobilization, public health, and education, Danielle is a trusted advisor to organizations navigating health challenges and a sought-after public speaker. As the founder of DHouston Solutions, she provides scientific guidance and strategies to elevate healthcare experiences. With significant contributions to national HIV treatment standards and advancing biomedical innovations, Danielle is a recognized leader in her field. She holds a Master of Science in Public Health from Tulane University and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Boston University. In 2022, Danielle was honored as the “Ally” Grand Marshal of Houston Pride, placing HIV advocacy front and center at the third-largest Pride celebration in the United States.

Dr. Juliana Meneses serves as a training, technical assistance lead at CAI. She has worked and overseen projects and capacity-building operations for UNFPA, UNAIDS and the Global Fund with over 25 years of experience in the fields of HIV and capacity-building.  Dr Meneses serves as a technical assistance lead and support with the Latinx population strategies for the current HRSA-funded TAP-in project. Serves as a bilingual trainer and part of the curriculum team for the CDC-funded National HIV Classroom Learning Center as well Dr. Meneses is a technical assistance coach with the Trauma Informed Care Projects at CAI Global. Dr Meneses has provided training and technical assistance to service providers across the U.S.  and in 6 countries in South America, 6 countries in Central America and the Caribbean. Has worked since 2022 with San Juan, implementing and evaluating their Rapid ART program, utilizing implementation science. The results of this process were presented in the NRWC and USCHA conferences in 2024.

Dr. Malinee Neelamegam is an Assistant Professor at the University of North Texas Health Science Center’s College of Public Health. She is an epidemiologist, and her research focuses on aging and health disparities, particularly among older adults living with HIV and immigrant populations. Dr. Neelamegam has led impactful capacity-building efforts in implementation science, including training HIV care providers in Malaysia to enhance patient-centered care. She is widely recognized for her expertise in community-engaged research, cognitive impairment in underserved groups, and addressing non-medical determinants of health. Her work has been funded by NIH, HRSA, and other prestigious organizations. Beyond her research, Dr. Neelamegam is dedicated to promoting health equity and designing culturally tailored interventions to improve the lives of vulnerable populations.

Jeffery Parks is a 57-year-old long-term survivor and dedicated HIV consumer advocate from Fort Worth, living with HIV since the mid-1990s. Passionate about improving health outcomes, Jeffery actively serves in various volunteer roles, primarily supporting clinical quality management (CQM) initiatives under the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program. With a strong commitment to community engagement, Jeffery brings valuable lived experience and insight to their advocacy work. Their personal areas of interest and expertise include promoting healthy aging and enhancing the quality of life for people living with HIV. Jeffery remains a steadfast voice for empowerment and positive change in the HIV community.