David joined NCSD as executive director in October of 2016. Previously he was founding executive director of AIDS Alliance for Children, Youth & Families, a national public health association; and president and CEO of Proliteracy, an international adult education organization. David has held positions as project director and policy analyst for the National Disability Rights Network and the University of Medicine & Dentistry of NJ’s – National Pediatric & Family HIV Resource Center. He is past executive director of LIFT-DC, an anti-poverty direct service organization in Washington.  David started out his career as an aide to U.S. Representative Sam Gejdenson (D-CT) and Martin Stevens, M.P. (C-Fulham & Hammersmith) in the House of Commons.

David has spoken widely at domestic and international conferences, served on various national boards and blue ribbon panels and in 2012 was appointed by Secretary Clinton to the U.S. National Commission for UNESCO. Most recently, he has focused his efforts at NCSD on growing the organization, bringing greater visibility among the American public and policy makers about the STD crises in America, and helped to secure $1.2 billion in new funding for the STD public health workforce that conducts disease outbreak response. David appears widely in the media and helped spearhead an innovative public and private partnership with Let’s Get Checked to create Check Yourself, a home self-collection STI testing program.

David is a graduate of Clark University and Catholic University of America and has authored over 20 peer-reviewed articles and chapters and various other publications.  David is a past member of the board of American Sexually Transmitted Diseases Association (ASTDA) and is a nationally certified executive coach through the International Coach Federation (ICF).

Contact: dharvey@ncsddc.org

Christy leads NCSD’s adolescent sexual health work. She supports capacity building and technical assistance to state leaders in health and education throughout the country. She also serves as a subject matter expert for training, program management, and empowerment of Disease Intervention Specialists (DIS). Prior to joining NCSD, Christy worked as a DIS and DIS frontline supervisor with the Florida Department of Health for over five years. She is passionate about STI and HIV prevention and an advocate for reproductive health, health justice and equity. She received her BS in Health Services Administration from the University of Central Florida and her MPH from the University of South Florida.

Stephanie oversees all policy and advocacy matters with a specific focus on policymaker education efforts at the federal level with the legislative and executive branches of government.  Prior to joining NCSD, she was a senior Legislative Aide for U.S. Senator Patty Murray (WA), working on issues of sexual and reproductive health and health care reform and also worked at the National Family Planning and Reproductive Health Association (NFPRHA).  Stephanie holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Beloit College.

Mary’s career has been primarily in the financial sector leading investor relations and fundraising for a number of high-profile investment fund managers that work with ultra-high-net-worth families from around the world. She has also led sales and marketing strategy for financial technology and digital marketing firms. Mary is a magna cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Wellesley College where she majored in English. Mary is a food and wine aficionado, contemporary art and design enthusiast, and an avid reader of American literature.

Elizabeth is NCSD’s Senior Director of Communications and Programs. She works with media to shape productive conversations about the nation’s STI epidemics, leads STI Engage, and leads NCSD’s programs team as they work to provide technical assistance to strengthen the public health response to STIs. She has more than two decades of extensive experience in strategic communications, branding, media relations, and policy analysis, almost exclusively focused on sexual and reproductive health. Prior to joining NCSD, Elizabeth was the Chief External Affairs Officer at SHIFT NC (Sexual Health Initiatives For Teens), where she oversaw communications and public policy engagement to improve young people’s sexual health in North Carolina. Immediately after joining NCSD, she co-led the organization’s response to the 2022 Mpox Outbreak and coordinated groundbreaking AI-based message testing to promote mpox vaccines.  Elizabeth is based in Durham, NC.

Forest oversees the digital communications for NCSD, including our STD Weekly newsletter, digital toolkits, marketing materials, website, and social media channels. Prior to joining NCSD, they managed and worked on the MN Family Planning & STI Hotline for the Minnesota Department of Health. Forest also worked in an FQHC as a Patient Resources Manager, where they created and led trainings about sexual health, STIs, all options pregnancy counseling, and transgender healthcare. While there, they worked to connect patients to local resources, created a free chest binder distribution program, and implemented a system to mail free condoms, lube, and STI testing information across the country. Forest holds a B.A. in English Literature and is a certified End of Life Doula. They also serve on the Board of Directors at Hold Your Horses, a local equine therapy nonprofit, where they support the organization’s Advancement and Marketing committees.

Rachel directs NCSD’s engagement with Congress and the administration. Prior to joining NCSD, Rachel spearheaded the expansion of the American Humanist Association’s federal policy portfolio, prioritizing civil rights and federal nondiscrimination policy. Rachel has a background in national politics, advocacy, and strategic communications at the federal and state levels. She has a master’s degree in theological studies from Harvard Divinity School, where she conducted research on religion, public health, stigma, and public policy.

Amanda leads NCSD’s development efforts, including developing corporate and foundation partnerships and managing NCSD’s federal funding relationships. Amanda previously worked at the Ohio Department of Health where she managed STD, Hepatitis, and HIV prevention and surveillance programs. There she spearheaded program integration efforts and conducted strategic planning and program evaluation. Prior to her work at the state level, Amanda managed various programs and projects at an FQHC, focusing on the implementation of programs that addressed health equity and social determinants of health. Amanda holds an MPH from George Washington University and a joint BA in Anthropology and BS in Health Sciences from Cleveland State University.

Marlene supports curriculum development for NCSD. She has over 20 years of experience in the field of learning and development where she has spear-headed leadership development and enterprise-wide learning initiatives. Marlene holds a Master’s of Education from Penn State University as well as numerous professional certifications such as facilitation, instructional design, performance consulting, test design and delivery, change management, DISC, and project management.

Jeremy earned his BA in Literary and Cultural Studies from The College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, VA. He has over 15 years of instructional design and development experience, generating eLearning, instructor-led trainings, and the like for various organizations across many industries: energy, healthcare, and academia to identify a few. He is currently the Senior Manager of Instructional Design for the National Coalition of STD Directors and talks a lot about getting a dog, but no one believes him anymore.

Leo Parker is a highly motivated healthcare advocate with over 20 years of experience in the education and prevention of sexually transmitted infections and HIV. He currently serves as Director of Prevention Programs with NCSD where he provides technical assistance and capacity building to its members.  His vast experience includes serving as the CDS Project Manager at the Georgia Department of Public Health, Health Administrator at the Fulton County Board of Health, and State STD Director at the Tennessee Department of Health.  His career path has been spent in STD/HIV Prevention where he started out as a program coordinator for one of the largest AIDS Services Organizations in the southeast and transitioning later as a Disease Investigator for the Georgia Department of Health.  His experience and wealth of knowledge has afforded him the opportunity to present at numerous national conferences as well as serve as an expert panelist on various topics.  Leo’s love of healthcare began at Georgia Southern University located in Statesboro, GA where he received his Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences.

As Manager of Training Coordination, Kathleen Pfohl oversees the coordination of the National Network of Disease Intervention Training Center (NNDITC) to deliver online and instructor-led DIS training courses. Previously, Kathleen served as NCSD’s Project Coordinator, Programs providing administrative support to the NCSD Programs Team, in addition to the NCSD Program Committee and DIS Advisory Committee. Prior to joining NCSD, Kathleen worked with The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Kathleen obtained a BA in Conflict Analysis and Resolution from George Mason University and is currently pursuing a Master of Public Health at George Washington University.

Charlie Rabins, MPH, is a consultant for NCSD where he provides technical assistance and training. Charlie has worked on STD, HIV and Viral Hepatitis prevention for 44 years at the local, state, regional and federal levels. He was a founding member of NCSD and has received numerous awards including the Jack N. Spencer Award from CDC in 2010 for a career of exceptional contributions to excellence in STD prevention.

Diana leads the State Policy initiatives for NCSD including the Policy Academy, engagement with state policymakers, and assisting our partners with grant administration. Prior to joining NCSD, Diana helped to oversee the STD Prevention program for the Idaho Department of Health and specialized in expanding STI prevention efforts among local public health departments, CBOs, free clinics, and community health centers. Diana also developed and implemented a statewide at-home STI testing program to benefit Idahoans living rural communities. Diana was a Peace Corps Volunteer in Okahandja, Namibia from 2010-2012 where she started an afterschool program for high school children and taught health education classes. Diana holds a MS in International Development with an emphasis in Health Education from Oklahoma State University and a BS in Social Sciences from Boise State University.

Erin Sainato (she/her) is the Senior Manager of Program Evaluation for the National Coalition of STD Directors.  Internally to NCSD, Erin performs program evaluation activities, which leads to continuous quality improvement within the organization.  Externally, Erin provides technical assistance around program evaluation and performance to NCSD members.  Prior to joining NCSD, Erin worked for the State of Ohio for sixteen years and focused on HIV prevention testing program evaluation.  She holds a bachelor’s degree in Arabic and International Studies and a master’s degree in public administration.  Her areas of expertise include data management and analysis, data-driven program evaluation, strategic planning, and grants administration. She is interested in continuous process and outcome improvement and building meaningful relationships to further the mission of public health. Erin lives in Columbus, Ohio with her husband Nick, daughter Rosie, and two cats.

Michela manages the Learning Management System for NCSD and its partners. This allows us to meet the learning and development needs of the field effectively and efficiently, while gathering data to continuously improve our content and processes. Previously with NCSD, she coordinated training conducted by NCSD in partnership with regional, state, and local health departments and the CDC. Prior to joining NCSD, she was a learning coordinator, a fifth-grade teacher, and a university teaching assistant for various anthropology courses. Michela earned her BA in education from the University of Maryland, College Park. Michela is passionate about community growth, health, and equity, especially through accessible and actionable learning.

Cait Shea is a registered nurse and a certified sexual assault nurse examiner, and her role supports the health clinic work of NCSD including Clinic+ activities. Prior to joining NCSD, she implemented a Title X clinic within her local public health department, where she functioned as both the adolescent & women’s health services program manager and the lead clinical nurse. Cait brings five years of experience in sexual and reproductive health clinical work, and she is most passionate about LGBTQ+ sexual health and promoting sexual health education through a sex positive lens.

Jessica manages the implementation of Check Yourself, NCSD’s Home Testing program, providing training and technical assistance to national public health partners. Prior to joining NCSD, Jessica oversaw the daily operations of the walk-in HIV/STI sexual health clinic at Ruth M. Rothstein CORE Center in Chicago, one of the largest HIV treatment facilities in the Midwest. Jessica earned a Master of Public Health from the University of Illinois at Chicago and currently serves as board member of the Latino Caucus for Public Health, an affiliated organization of the American Public Health Association. In 2020,  Jessica became a published contributing author for Today’s Inspired Young Latina Vol II book series where she hopes her story will empower and inspire fellow Latinas to pursue a career in public health.

Brandon Heinbaugh is NCSD’s Senior Manager for Program Operations and Training. His professional experience is rooted in public health programs specifically focusing on training development and facilitation, technical assistance, capacity building and project management for state and local public health departments. Brandon’s prior experience encompasses sexual and reproductive health, HIV/STI prevention, outreach, and advocacy within the LGBTQIA+ communities. Brandon received his Master of Public Health and Bachelor of Science in Public Health degrees from Indiana University.

Christopher supports state sexual health policy initiatives at NCSD, including trend analysis, trainings, and replication opportunities with NCSD members.  He identifies as a queer sexual health advocate with a passion for improving large-scale health systems through coalition-building. Prior to joining NCSD, Christopher worked at the Colorado Health Network, where he helped develop and expand programs for populations uniquely impacted by health disparities, including older adults living with HIV and people experiencing intersecting inequities seeking PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis). He currently serves on several local bodies in his hometown of Denver, including the LGBTQ Commission and Governor’s Advisory Board on the Colorado Option. Christopher holds a BA in Journalism from Ithaca College and an MA in Gender Studies from The Central European University in Budapest, Hungary.

Max (they/them/theirs) serves as a project coordinator, bringing over 7 years of experience in activism and advocacy to NCSD. Prior to joining NCSD, Max had recently graduated with a BA in Gender Studies from American University. They are passionate about and have worked on a wide variety of issues including (but certainly not limited to!) LGBTQ+ rights, disability justice, health issues (specifically sexual health, reproductive health/justice, harm reduction, and social determinants of health), environmental justice, and the rights of people experiencing homelessness. Outside of work, they enjoy crafting (particularly crocheting) and spending time outdoors.

Dan supports NCSD’s leadership and program team as Chief Operating and Financial Officer. A formative leadership experience at AIDS Action Council (now part of AIDS United) fostered a life-long interest in health access, social justice, and gender equity that dovetails with many NCSD initiatives. His extensive background in financial leadership is supplemented with significant program work around place making, place management and economic development. Dan’s passion for inclusion and criminal justice reform stems from his partnership with a second-chance program that provided meaningful work opportunities to people at risk of homelessness who were frequently returning citizens and had histories of substance abuse. 

Dan holds a business degree in management from Tulane University. He lives in Washington, D.C. with his husband, their two dogs, and the empty rooms that once housed their twin sons who are now in grad school. Dan enjoys swimming, local politics, finding awesome produce at farmer’s markets and exploring the region’s restaurant scene.

Nicola Lich (they/them/theirs) is a Human Resources professional at NCSD with 5+ years of experience supporting nonprofit organizations focused on STI & sexual health, education, and advocacy. Specializing in DEI, Nicola uses that experience to build strong relationships with the folx directly impacting communities that they are a part of and are passionate to serve. It is Nicola’s goal to cultivate champions of this work. By focusing on culture and engagement, Nicola has been able to put their bachelor’s degree in business management with a concentration in Human Resources earned at Metropolitan University of Denver to good use. Nicola may spend their days at NCSD, but it’s the passionate employees who they get to support that gets them up in the morning.

Gabrielle S. Evans, PhD, MPH, CHES (she/her) is a sex researcher and educator from North Carolina and a proud citizen of the Haliwa-Saponi Tribe. Gabrielle obtained a Ph.D. in Health Promotion and Behavioral Sciences from The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston. Her research focuses on reducing sexual health disparities among Native American populations and analyzing the impact of historical and present traumas on Native sexual health. Gabrielle has taught comprehensive sexuality education since 2016, facilitating programs for community and faith-based organizations, providers, and Native American adolescents. During this time, she has also served as a consultant and advisory board member for organizations such as Texas Freedom Network, Own Every Piece, and the Advocates for Youth Racial Justice Advisory Council. As a sexuality educator and researcher, Gabrielle hopes to expand research and education on BIPOC sexual well-being, particularly among Native American populations.

Stephanie White is the Senior Manager of Conferences and Events at NCSD. She’s responsible for planning, implementing, and managing logistics associated with NCSD meetings and events.

Stephanie has more than 25 years of experience planning events, trainings, and meetings. She did advance work on two U.S. presidential campaigns; both candidates won. The desire to serve and help people led Stephanie to earn a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree. After earning her MSW, she worked at various non-profits in New York city. Shortly after the September 11 attacks, she moved back to DC and worked at the Points of Light Foundation, a national volunteer organization. Prior to joining NCSD, Stephanie spent fifteen years in the public and affordable housing industry, planning events and trainings.

She holds a BA in Psychology from Hampton University and an MSW from Howard University. She lives in the DC metro area with her husband and two children. When she’s not transporting her children to their various activities, she enjoys spending time with her friends, listening and dancing to good music, traveling to warm places, brunching, and reading or listening to a good book.