FCAA Welcomes New Board & Staff in 2024

By Sarah Hamilton January 17, 2024

Washington, D.C., January 18, 2024 – Funders Concerned About AIDS (FCAA), the leading voice on philanthropic resources allocated to the global HIV epidemic, today announced the election of three new members to its Board of Directors and the appointment of a new staffer.

“Building and investing in HIV services and human rights advocacy, and supporting a coordinated response –  especially for marginalized communities at greatest risk for HIV –   are crucial strategies for ending the epidemic worldwide,” said FCAA Board Chair Jesse Milan Jr.,(he/him) President & CEO of AIDS United. “We’re thrilled that these new colleagues are bringing a diverse set of experiences that will help FCAA connect and coordinate private sector funders to have a stronger voice and commitment to investing in stopping the disparities and devastation of HIV and AIDS.”

FCAA Staff

FCAA is pleased to welcome Julian Sanjivan (they/them) to the FCAA team. As the Research and Membership Engagement Associate, Julian will be expanding the organization’s important research and membership capacity.

Originally from Malaysia, Julian recently obtained United States citizenship after residing in New York City for over ​11 years. With a wealth of experience spanning ​18 years, ​Julian has made a lasting impact in various organizations across Asia​, Europe, and the United States. Demonstrating an unwavering commitment to LGBTQ+ causes and HIV advocacy, Julian boasts a remarkable track record of over ​15 years addressing critical issues on both national and international stages. Most notably, they served as the Co-President of InterPride, a global organization collaborating with over 400 LGBTQ+ member organizations worldwide. Formerly the New York City Pride March Director and Executive Board Director, Julian played a pivotal role in spearheading the iconic NYC Pride March. Notably, they led the event during the landmark 50th Anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising and the historic 2019 WorldPride, attracting over 5 million attendees from around the world to New York City. Beyond their professional achievements, Julian is an avid global traveler and news enthusiast who channels their passion into advancing civil rights for LGBTQ+, people of color, and immigrant communities. Julian is dedicated to promoting any mission that champions inclusivity, diversity, and social progress.

FCAA Board of Directors

FCAA’s Board provides leadership and guidance on the direction of FCAA’s mission and operations. It also plays a key role in stewarding the organization’s efforts to help private HIV-related funders maximize the impact of their resources while partnering with broader philanthropy to address root causes of the epidemic. In 2024, FCAA proudly welcomes the following three new Board Members:

  • Alexis Wilson Briggs (she/her) currently serves as the Interim Coordinator of the Red Umbrella Fund, the first and only global fund dedicated to supporting the rights of sex workers. Alexis is a former sex worker, a prison abolitionist, and a queer feminist. Compelled by her sex work experience and the over-policing and incarceration of her communities, she has spent over twenty years seeking to abolish prisons and end enforcement of vice and poverty-based crimes through community activism and allying with non-profits within the criminal justice and drug policy sectors. In the last five years Alexis has worked within philanthropy at the intersection of feminism, sex work, LGBTQAI+, harm reduction, and digital security. Prior to her work in philanthropy, she served as a criminal defense attorney in private practice for nearly ten years.

  • Meg French (she/her) is the Executive Director of the Stephen Lewis Foundation (SLF). Founded 20 years ago, the SLF is a progressive, feminist organization rooted in the principles of social justice and international solidarity, which champions health and human rights alongside more than 90 community-led organizations working on the frontlines of the HIV epidemic in sub-Saharan Africa. Before joining SLF in 2020, Meg worked with the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) for 17 years. From 2018–2020, she was based in Geneva as the global lead for UNICEF’s Every Child ALIVE Campaign, focusing on newborn and maternal health and survival. She coordinated advocacy, fundraising and public engagement strategies across the organization to engage and influence governments, businesses, and the public.

  • Jason Grisell (he/him) is the President & CEO of The Health Foundation of Greater Indianapolis, Inc. During the nine years Jason spent in the programs department, he directed more than $15 million in grants and funding for health-related services to Indiana’s most vulnerable populations. Grisell obtained his MBA in Management & Strategy from Western Governors University and holds his certificate in fundraising management and non-profit executive leadership from The Lilly Family School of Philanthropy at Indiana University – Purdue University of Indianapolis.

In addition to Board Chair Milan and Vice Chair Mark Vermeulen (he/him), Executive Director of Aidsfonds , the Board’s executive leadership now includes Taryn Barker (she/her), Director of SRHR- Equitable Access at Children’s Investment Fund Foundation (Secretary), and Alli Jernow (she/her), Social Justice Vice President at the Arcus Foundation (Treasurer).

“With the constant barrage of new threats and fires to put out in the world, it can be easy to lose the thread of important developments in, and threats to, the global HIV response,” said Masen Davis (he/him), FCAA Executive Director. “I look forward to working with our Board and staff to help build the political will and financial resources needed to support the people and places most impacted by HIV. To do so requires organizing and resource mobilization that transcend social justice movements and grantmaking portfolios. I am grateful to our multidisciplinary, international Board and staff. We are stronger together.”

For a complete list of FCAA’s current board and staff visit fcaaids.org.

About FCAA:
Funders Concerned About AIDS (FCAA) is a philanthropy-serving organization (PSO) founded in 1987 to take bold actions and push philanthropy to respond to HIV and AIDS. Our intent then and now: to inform, connect, and support philanthropy in response to the global pandemic of HIV and AIDS.FCAA membership represents 50% of HIV-related philanthropy around the world. Learn more about FCAA at: www.fcaaids.org.