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
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.
Lily May Catanes, MBA
Director of Operations & Finance
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.
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.
Alex Garner
Director of Community Engagement
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.
Sherrie Hicks
Senior 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 MPact, Sherrie plays a vital role in budgeting, financial reporting, cost and productivity analysis, and in the preparation of our regular financial statements.
Johnny Tohme, MS
Senior Community Mobilization Manager
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.
Tony Nguyen
Administrative and Contracts Coordinator
A recent graduate in Public Administration from San Diego State University, Tony Nguyen gained experience from a multitude of sectors. He has worked on studies focused on LBTQ+ Liaison Police Officers and affordable housing. Administratively, he has provided support to both the City Manager’s Office in the City of El Cajon and the Planning Department for the City of National City. As a Service Administrator, he managed a multi-family housing construction project affiliated with Stanford University’s Faculty and Staff Housing Program. Tony brings his organizational and administrative skills to provide support to various departments in MPACT.