Annette is the Advocacy Coalition Manager for the Global AIDS Policy Partnership (GAPP) at AVAC, where in collaboration with the coalition co-chairs and member organizations, she leads advocacy strategy and works to advance policy priorities and investments for global HIV/AIDS programs, including PEPFAR and the Global Fund. In her role with the GAPP, Annette organizes this diverse coalition to build and maintain working relationships with Congressional offices, US agencies such as the State Department and S/GAC, donors and global audiences.
Prior to joining AVAC, Annette was the US and Global Health Policy Co-Director at Treatment Action Group, where she advanced hepatitis C elimination through community-led campaigns resulting in the New York State Governor’s HCV Elimination Task Force, President Biden’s call for a National Hepatitis C Elimination Program, and expansion of UNITAID funding for hepatitis C programs. Annette also co-founded the Viral Hepatitis Diagnostics Working Group and successfully coordinated the Campaign for NY Health to pass a universal single-payer health care bill in the State Assembly.
Annette joined AVAC in 2023, bringing over 30 years of experience as a community activist in the LGBTQ, HIV, harm reduction and drug decriminalization movements. She holds a BS in Biology from San Francisco State University, worked in molecular biology research at Columbia University, and provided rehabilitation therapy to patients as a licensed speech, language and swallowing therapist.