AIDS Action Committee President Rebecca Haag Reports Strong Success
Two days after the historic election of President-Elect Barack Obama, two other Presidents Jarrett T. Barrios, President of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation and Rebecca Haag, President and CEO of AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts led the charge for radical change in how non-profits operate to excel in today’s economic climate. The meeting’s forward-thinking messages, held today in the offices of Nixon Peabody LLC at 100 Summer Street in Boston, challenged attendees to believe in the impossible and to work smartly to make it real, including imaging a world without HIV/AIDS. AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts (AAC) reported its fiscal year 2008 results, presented its third annual Commitment to Action Awards and issued its annual report.
AAC President and CEO Rebecca Haag discussed the strength of the agency’s position in trying economic times. "We must dare to believe what others have called impossible," she said. "By being bold and innovative as an agency, we will not only stay strong in difficult times, we will end this epidemic in our lifetime."
Board President Michael Wong, M.D. announced new members of AAC’s Board of Directors. He lauded incoming members Celia Grant, Shayla Griffin, Richard T. Larkin, Bisola Ojikutu, M.D., M.P.H and Kevin W. Powers for their ability to work alongside current members to keep the Board diverse, talented and dedicated. Elected officers are Michael Wong, President, Bill Kelly, Vice President, Kevin Powers, Treasurer, and Andrew Fullem, Clerk.
The Commitment to Action awards presented at the meeting recognized companies and individuals whose relationships with AIDS Action have made a significant impact toward the agency’s work. This year AIDS Action was honored to thank Macy’s, causemedia, The Riklin Family, and Jim Morgrage.
AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts is the state’s leading provider of prevention and wellness services for people vulnerable to HIV infection. It provides services to one in six people in Massachusetts living with an HIV diagnosis. These services include HIV counseling and testing; needle exchange; mental health counseling; housing assistance; and legal services. AIDS Action works to prevent new HIV infections, support those affected by HIV, and tackle the root causes of HIV/AIDS by educating the public and health professionals about HIV prevention and care; and advocating for fair and effective HIV/AIDS policy at the city, state, and federal levels. Founded in 1983, AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts is New England’s first and largest AIDS service organization. Learn more at www.aac.org.
