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Dr Matthew Halse works for ViiV Healthcare’s Global Public Health team focused on HIV prevention partnerships. He’s the former Executive Director of AIDS Community Care Montreal, and holds a doctorate in Political Theory with a concentration in HIV.
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Alicia Sánchez graduated in Law and Political Science and held post-graduate studies in Social and Cultural Anthropology and Gender and Public Policies. She has over 15 years of experience working on HIV, SRHR, gender, human rights, and youth and development issues at the country, regional and global levels. Throughout her career, she has worked closely with community leaders, government officials, the private sector, donors, UN agencies, and other development partners. She is passionate about promoting youth leadership and meaningful adolescent and youth engagement at all levels of the HIV response and policy framing on areas concerning their health and wellbeing. Alicia currently holds the Advisor, Youth Engagement position at the Secretariat of the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS).
Dr. Mona Loutfy is an Infectious Diseases Specialist and Researcher at Women’s College Hospital and the University of Toronto. Her main clinical practice is in inner city Toronto where she specializes in the care of women, youth and couples with HIV and people with socially complicated lives. She also specializes in reproductive health and HIV. In 2006, Dr. Loutfy founded the Women and HIV Research Program, which uses community-based research and works in partnership with women living with HIV to carry out critical research to optimize the lives and care of women with HIV and their families. In partnership with community leaders and by using anti-oppression, social justice and feminist frameworks, Dr. Loutfy and her team have made a significant difference in the lives of Black, Indigenous, and trans women living with HIV.
Tatiana, PMP, MBA, began her career with Fundação Dom Cabral, a Business School in Brazil, gaining unparalleled experience in the education space, while also establishing herself as a respected Project Director. Currently working as a National Manager for LetsStopAIDS, where she started as a volunteer Program Manager, Tatiana is in charge of leading LetsStopAIDS’ team and she is responsible for all National Programs. Her desire to contribute and work within the HIV and AIDS field came from a need to spread information after some relatives became HIV positive. Passionate about people, mentorship and leadership, through LetsStopAIDS’ projects she looks to promote change and knowledge exchange among youth. While her professional and personal projects have taken her to Canada, Tatiana is proud to call Toronto home.
Dr. Mona Loutfy is an Infectious Diseases Specialist and Researcher at Women’s College Hospital and the University of Toronto. Her main clinical practice is in inner city Toronto where she specializes in the care of women, youth and couples with HIV and people with socially complicated lives. She also specializes in reproductive health and HIV. In 2006, Dr. Loutfy founded the Women and HIV Research Program, which uses community-based research and works in partnership with women living with HIV to carry out critical research to optimize the lives and care of women with HIV and their families. In partnership with community leaders and by using anti-oppression, social justice and feminist frameworks, Dr. Loutfy and her team have made a significant difference in the lives of Black, Indigenous, and trans women living with HIV.
Kate Palbom is the Manager of Policy and Advocacy at the Ontario AIDS Network (OAN). A member network of 45 community-based organizations, the OAN and its members work collectively to deliver Ontario's HIV and AIDS response. Kate's work focuses on active engagement in advocacy campaigns and projects to address and improve policy at the provincial and federal levels on behalf of OAN's membership.
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Heidi is an expert at creating newsworthy opportunities for clients. Her work focuses on building meaningful relationships with media, influencers and industry leaders across Canada. Heidi’s aim is to motivate audiences to participate, share and talk about the content Matte PR creates. Her strategic approach to public relations is what continues to drive her team’s success. Heidi studied communications at the University of Malta, specializing in film and journalism. Mentorship is a pillar at Matte PR and Heidi regularly donates her time to it. Organizations include The Forum, Toronto Fashion Incubator, Toronto Metropolitan University’s Fashion Zone and LetsStopAIDS’ The Winning Seed competition. She is an advisor to Ben Barry, chair of Ryerson’s School of Fashion (now Toronto Metropolitan University).
