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Meet the WORLD Staff


Bridget HughesBridget HughesBridget Hughes, Director of Outreach and Prevention

Hi, I’m Bridget. I’ve been at WORLD since 2004 after returning from the Peace Corps in Zambia. While in Zambia I worked with farmers on HIV/AIDS peer education and agricultural integration. For the last twenty years I have worked in non-profit organizations in the areas of social and environmental justice including homelessness, mental health, school/community gardening, indigenous rights, and unlearning oppression. At WORLD I manage outreach programs related to both HIV care and prevention. On the care side, I manage the LINCS program. On the prevention side I oversee the POWERR project, the Speakers Bureau, and Prevention by Positives programs (including education and interventions through Support Groups, Retreats, Peer Advocacy and LINCs). My other passions include gardening, hiking and camping, arts/crafts, music, and traveling.


Maura RiordanMaura RiordanMaura Riordan, Executive Director

I have involved in the HIV/AIDS field in both personal and professional capacities for the past 20 years, including at the Santa Cruz AIDS Project and the Maui AIDS Foundation. I have spent much of my career in senior management positions within non-profit organizations. I have been Executive Director at WORLD since 2003. Prior to arriving here I was familiar with and inspired by the work of WORLD and was thrilled to join the team. I am blessed to work with phenomenal women who catalyze strength in each other. I am able to see women walk through the WORLD door the first time feeling anxious and isolated, and as they become a part of our community grow in their ability to advocate for themselves and others. This transformation is what WORLD is all about.

I enjoy spending time with my family, including my adored son Simon, traveling, being close to the ocean and reading.


Shalinni EddensShalinni EddensShalini Eddens, Director of Training and Education

I have been working with WORLD for a little over a year. I coordinate the Lotus Project (link) and the many education activities we do here at WORLD. Recently, I worked in India with different community based organizations and women’s groups. Before coming to WORLD, I coordinated the women’s program at Project Inform. I’m blessed to love my work and have learned some of life’s most valuable lessons from the many women I have met and worked with over the years. My other passions are dance, yoga, travel, and spending as much time in my California sunshine.

 

Sharon GamblesSharon GamblesSharon Gambles, Peer Advocate

My name is Sharon Gambles and I'm a Peer Advocate here at WORLD located at 414 13th street in beautiful Downtown Oakland. I've been doing HIV/AIDS work over 5 year. I have been HIV+ seventeen years and a single mother of three great kids. Also, I am a soon to be a grandmother for the first time yeaaaaaa! I LOVE THE WORK THAT I DO HERE AT WORLD SHARING MY EXPERIENCE, STRENGTH, AND HOPE.

 

Alejandra CanoAlejandra CanoAlejandra Cano, Lotus Spanish Translator/FCN Consumer Coordinator

I have two things I focus working at WORLD: I coordinate the Consumer Input Task Force group for the Family Care Network and work as a Spanish speaking trainer for the Lotus Project. I have worked at WORLD from beginning of 2001 to mid 2004 as a Latina Peer Advocate, and came back in July 2006 to my new two roles. I was born in Salta, Northwest state of Argentina. Salta is close to the Bolivian and Chilean borders. My parents moved to Buenos Aires were I lived until I moved to Marin County in December 1988. I have been living since then in the Bay Area not without going away and coming back. I have family in Argentina, Costa Rica and my partner is from Barcelona, Spain. I now live in Berkeley.

 

Naina KhannaNaina KhannaNaina Khanna, National Advocacy Coordinator

I coordinate Community Outreach and train and manage the WORLD Speakers Bureau as well as our national advocacy efforts. I am passionate about raising the profile and issues of women living with HIV in the epidemic. I also coordinate the POWERR Project, a Prevention through Empowerment Program targeting at-risk teenage girls in Alameda County. Prior to joining WORLD, I was the National Field Director for the League of Young/Independent/Pissed Off Voters. In my spare time, I love dancing, yoga, soaking in hot springs, and frolicking in the redwoods.

 

Nena BridgesNena BridgesNena Bridges, Receptionist

I graduated with two Associate Degrees: Activity Director and Social Services. I have two grown children. I provide resources and referral information to the general public, clientele, and visitors via mail, email, fax or in person. In my roles I provide a voice to advocacy and women’s issues that arise in my community. I have been in the HIV/AIDS field for 9 years.


Liz BatesLiz BatesLizabeth Bates, Peer Advocate

I am a 54-year-old mother of two daughters and grandmother of three. I was born and went to school in Oakland. I tested positive in 1993 and started working in the HIV/AIDS field in 1998. I joined WORLD in 2006 as a Client Navigator with the LINCs program (link). I help women who have fallen out of care to return to care and stay there. I help women get to their doctors appointments and/or to connect with services to meet needs such as food or clothing. In the course of connecting with women, I spend time talking with them about safer sex and other prevention options.

 

Anna JacksonAnna JacksonAnna Jackson, Peer Advocate

I am a Peer Advocate and a trainer on The Lotus Project, a peer advocacy training program. I attended the 2006 International AIDS Conference and continue to learn everyday from different information sources and trainings. I was diagnosed in 1995 and I am living my life. I have been married for 14 years and have 2 amazing children who are part of my amazing support system.


Sylvia YoungSylvia YoungSylvia Young, Latina Peer Advocate

Here at WORLD first I am the Latina Peer Advocate providing emotional and practical support to HIV+ women. I am also part of the Lotus Project Team providing peer advocate training nationwide. My experience in the HIV/AIDS field began in 1996 working for San Francisco Black Coalition on AIDS. In 1999 I began to volunteer with the San Francisco Office of AIDS and the CDC as a member of the Material Review Panel. The other experience I have with HIV/AIDS is that I acquired the virus in 1995. I have now been married nine years to a wonderful man who with my three daughters and my grandson Ohani have supported me with their love and compassion.

 

Janie RileyJanie RileyJanie Riley, Clinical Director, MFT

(Lic. # mfc 41308)

I have been with WORLD for more than five years. I provide clinical direction and supervision for WORLD's peer advocate program. For the Lotus Project, I participate in curriculum development and provide training to peer supervisors at participating organizations. WORLD retreats offer HIV disclosure workshops for women, and I am always happy to facilitate these dynamic groups along with the peer advocates. I also serve on the Substance Abuse/Mental Health Task Force for the Family Care Network, a task force working to improve the efficacy of medical and mental health care for FCN consumers. I am available to speak with community groups about psycho-social issues related to women and HIV and other related topics.

In addition to my work at WORLD, I maintain a private practice in Berkeley, and offer psychotherapy to adults, couples and families.

 

Dominique Love, Associate Director

Photo and Bio coming soon!!

 

 


Margaret GiordanoMargaret GiordanoMargaret Giordano, Peer Advocate

I have been a peer advocate here at WORLD for 10 years. I also faciliate the support group on Wednesdays. I tested HIV positive in 1988 and have been living a healthy and positive life raising my grandson who is now 9 years old.