2025 HPG MEMBERS
BILLY Fields
Finance Officer of HIV Planning Council of NYC
Policy and External Relations Committee Co-Chair
My mission is to raise awareness to the needs of the disability community with a status neutral approach. I assure that there is someone representing my community at the table. MBA, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc, 37 years working in Corporate America, and 20+ years in HIV Advocacy. Lifetime tennis player, now wheelchair player and boxing jazz, and classical music.
CRISTIAN Eduardo
Status Neutral Approach
DEIDRE Miller
2024 Coordinating Committee Workgroup Member
2024 Policy and External Relations Workgroup Member
Hi! I’m Deidre. I was born and raised in Bklyn. I LOVE eating food and reading books. I am currently the director of an HIV prevention and sexual health education program. I am highly energetic and am dedicated to fun.
SHANNON Velez
Policy and External Relations Committee Co-Chair
My name is Shannon, a girl from the South Bronx who loves to travel continuously strives to be a voice for the unheard representing the black and Latinx communities.
ROXCY Moore
Digital Advocacy and Health Promotions
Hello, I am a great individual that loves everyone and want’s the best for everyone. My mission is to make my people happy, respect my community and I have a great experience in becoming a black trans woman!
MARK Paige
Membership and Community Engagement
Dr. ELYS Vasquez-Iscan
Status Neutral Approach Committee Co-Chair
She is an Associate Dean at the Lehman College School of Health Sciences, Human Services and Nursing. Her research focuses on HIV/AIDS prevention, health inequities and mental health and burnout. She uses her research to advocate for the development of informed heath policies.
KARINA Escamilla
Status Neutral Approach
A Mexico City native is a strong advocate for health as a fundamental human right. She drives culturally tailed initiatives to combat the critical health challenges impacting immigrant communities.
KEMAR Asphall
Digital Advocacy and Health Promotions
A kind-heated young man, following the principles of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. that “injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere”.
JUSTIN Toro
Membership and Community Engagement
Hi! I am Justin Toro, and I was born/raised in the boogie down Bronx. Proud HIV+ individual and sexual champion by day, and fun kinkster at night! I love to travel and educating on being the best sexual self-one can be!
ELLIE Tighe
Policy and External Relations
Queer public sexual health advocate, travel junkie, consumer of was too much true crime, shin-tzu/puddle who is my partner in crime and my whole heart.
DIVINE Prince Allah
Status Neutral Approach
Peace to All: I am a long-term advocate for social and political justice for all people regardless of age, race, or gender identification. I am a 74-year-old black man who has been living with the virus since 2014 and am engaged full time in the struggle to end the epidemic of HIV/AIDS in the communities where I work and throughout America.
BRIAN Hennessey
Policy and External Relations
T have held many positions in the healthcare field over the last 20 years. I am currently the director for the HIV prevention and treatment programs, combining data driven decision making with the tenants of social justice.
CARLOS Flores Martinez
Policy and External Relations
Carlos Flores Martinez is from Honduras. With over 20 years of experience in the HIV field / LGBTQI community, Carlos began his career with the International Peace Corps in Honduras. Currently, he is HIV Programs Director in a CBO.
JORGE Soler
Membership and Community Engagement Committee Co-Chair
Queer Colombian immigrant. Scholar, researcher, and community advocate. First-gen BA/MPH/PhD. Sex positive & passionate about social justice and public health.
HARVEY Diaz
Digital Advocacy and Health Promotions Committee Co-Chair
An Ecuadorian immigrant and dedicated member of the LGBTQ community, I bring extensive experience in program management, team leadership, and operations within the healthcare sector. I am committed to optimizing program outcomes and advancing positive change in healthcare delivery for marginalized communities.
LAZARA Paz Gonzalez
Status Neutral Approach Committee Co-Chair
Lazara Paz-Gonzalez (2024 Status Neutral Co-Chair, NYC HIV Planning Group), Senior Director of Youth Services at Hetrick-Martin Institute, is a Queer Latina/x who is passionate about working on social, health, and community justice issues that impact communities existing at the margins.
SHAKIR Edwards
Digital Advocacy and Health Promotions
I was born and raised in the Bronx but a Caribbean girl at heart. A lover of music and fashion. I am passionate about public health and research.
Dr. Miguel A Rosa-Rubio, MD, MPH
Membership and Community Engagement
The power to change your destiny is on you! Latino, gay, immigrant, medical doctor from Dominican Republic. Member of the NYC HPG representing priority populations. Committed with the community health care.
ZEPHYR Merkur Herrera
Policy and External Relations
Zephyr is a mixed Latin-Jewish queer non-binary health advocate. They have been working for LGBQ/TGNC Advocacy in New York since 2017. Some highlights from Zephyr’s service to the community include connecting two newly diagnosed positive to care within two weeks during the height of lockdown and facilitating 600 MPOX vaccination doses with their organization. Outside of work they can be found with a cat on lap and mystery novel in hand.
RAUL Marca
Membership and Community Engagement
Raul is the Interim Director of Prevention at Wyckoff Heights Medical Center, focusing on HIV prevention with vulnerable populations. He has over 8 years of experience specializing in outreach to migrants and the LGBTQI+ community. Raul advocates for universal access to HIV prevention and treatment, serving as a CDC ambassador and an NMAC fellow.
RAFAEL Ortiz
Membership and Community Engagement Committee Co-Chair
Rafael has worked servicing the Bronx since 2000. He has worked with the NYC DOHMH, NYS DOH and the CDC to ensure support and collaborations that focused on serving the Bronx Communities. He is currently employed with BronxCare Health System as a Program Coordinator.
TIMOTHY Au
Policy and External Relations
Hi There, My name is Timothy Au. I am originally from Hong Kong, and moved to the US when I was 18 years old. I’m a social worker and hold a licensed Master Social Work. I have over 10 years’ experience in HIV care coordination services and prevention and sexual health services including PrEP/PEP.
VICTORIA Bell
ROMAYNE Joseph
Membership and Community Engagement
ZYAIR Simpson
Status Neutral Approach
Hi, I am Zyair Simpson born and raised in the Bronx. I love reading, baking, and spending time with loved ones. I am currently a program manager at Jacobi Medical Center emergency department for HIV services in the Adult emergency department. I am grateful to be part of the HPG and to be doing great work.
KATHERINE Chen
Digital Advocacy and Health Promotions Committee Co-Chair
Hi! I’m Katherine. I was born and raised in Kingston, Jamaica. I’m passionate about sexual and reproductive health justice for women from historically marginalized backgrounds. I am currently a program manager for the women of color program of an HIV prevention center.
