MPact’s team is a reflection of our commitment to upholding a diverse global perspective on issues concerning the health and human rights of gay and bisexual men. Our staff of experts in the field are primarily headquartered in Oakland, California but our work extends to 62 countries around the globe.
MPact is led by an international Board of Directors and a collegially appointed Steering Committee of globally recognized advocates and HIV and AIDS professionals representing every major region of the world, the majority of whom are ages 29 and under.
Andrew Spieldenner, PhD
Executive Director | contact@mpactglobal.org
A longtime HIV activist, Andrew Spieldenner currently serves as vice-chair of the United States People living with HIV Caucus and as the North American Delegate to the UNAIDS Program Coordinating Board. Dr. Spieldenner has worked as a nonprofit leader and an academic professor for nearly a decade, focusing his research on the intersection of health and intercultural communication surrounding HIV and the LGBTQ community.
Omar Baños
Director of Training & Technical Assistance | obanos@mpactglobal.org
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 MPact consistently and appropriately with international and regional networks worldwide.
Lily May Catanes, MBA
Director of Operations & Finance | lcatanes@mpactglobal.org
With foundations in international business, leadership, and marketing, Lily May brings experience ranging from event, project, and office management to bookkeeping and instructional design for online education and training. At MPact, she monitors administrative, financial, and reporting requirements outlined by funders.
Alex Garner
Director of Community Engagement | agarner@mpactglobal.org
Alex Garner was most recently the Senior Health Innovation Strategist at Hornet, the gay social networking app. He crafted all sexual health messaging, developed social marketing campaigns, created digital content for a global audience, and led Hornet’s research efforts. Alex has over 25 years of experience working as a community organizer. He has been a freelance writer for over two decades, capturing the experiences and perspectives of the queer community. As a writer and an artist, he has utilized the cultural arts to advance the narratives of LGBT communities.
Angel Fabian
Advocacy Coordinator, Fijate Bien | afabian@mpactglobal.org
Angel is an immigrant, curander@, two-spirit/queer, Zapotec@/Xican@ activist and organizer whose life experience has enabled him to connect, advocate with/for, uplift and celebrate community members from all walks of life. Angel has a doctorate in medicine and masters in non-profit administration. With a 20-year history of progressive policy, advocacy, and management experience across a range of public health settings, including community-based organizations, community health centers and public health departments, Angel brings a strong and unwavering history as an Latinx HIV/AIDS advocate.
Sherrie Hicks
Senior Accountant | shicks@mpactglobal.org
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 MPact, Sherrie plays a vital role in budgeting, financial reporting, cost and productivity analysis, and in the preparation of our regular financial statements.
Gregory Tartaglione
Senior Communications Officer | gtartaglione@mpactglobal.org
At MPact, Gregory works to implement the organization’s strategic vision and unique voice in the ever-shifting landscape of sexual health and human rights. Gregory brings their experience in social marketing, filmmaking, content creation, graphic design, and brand development to advocate for sexual health and rights around the world. Outside of work, they perform in drag as Mama Celeste and are the co-founder of Oaklash: The Bay Area’s Drag and Queer Performance Festival.
Johnny Tohme, MS
Senior Community Mobilization Manager | jtohme@mpactglobal.org
Johnny comes to MPact 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 MPact and will be involved with the programs departments.