Photo courtesy of the San Francisco AIDS Foundation

San Francisco AIDS Foundation names Dr. Tyler TerMeer first Black CEO

16th February 2022 BWM Staff

Dr. Tyler TerMeer has recently become the San Francisco AIDS Foundation’s (SFAF) first Black CEO, and only the second person living with HIV to head the organization in its almost 40 year history.

“As a person living with HIV for nearly 18 years, I am deeply committed to and inspired by the mission, vision, and values of San Francisco AIDS Foundation, and its long history of serving the community with essential HIV and support services,” said Dr. TerMeer. “It is an honor to be selected for this role at such a pivotal moment in the HIV movement, and I am looking forward to contributing my leadership to best serve people living with and at risk for HIV in the Bay Area and beyond.”

The San Francisco AIDS Foundation was formed in 1982 at the height of the AIDS epidemic, when the “mysterious new illness” was wreaking havoc in the LGBTQ community, particularly with gay and bisexual men. Since then SFAF, originally known as the Kaposi Sarcoma Research and Education Foundation, has grown to become one the largest and most well-respected HIV service organizations. Millions of people utilize it’s advocacy tools every year, and over 25,000 people rely on its services.

For this reason, many have been surprised to learn that Dr. Tyler TerMeer, 38, is the first Black person living with HIV to lead the organization in almost 40 years.

“I think I was also surprised, [yet] not surprised that I’m the first person of color to lead the foundation,” admits TerMeer to Plus Magazine. “Not surprised, because, you know, there are very few Black executives in the nonprofit sector leading organizations. And that number becomes drastically smaller when you start to narrow down to specific fields of our sector.

Previously, Dr. TerMeer has served for seven years as CEO at Cascade AIDS Project, the largest community-based provider of HIV services in Oregon and southwest Washington. He also served as the director of public policy and government relations at AIDS Resource Center Ohio and as the director of the Ohio AIDS Coalition.

As a leader in the HIV community, TerMeer discusses how he always strives to remain conscientious that he stands on the shoulders of the many others who came before him in the long battle against HIV stigma.

Dr. TerMeer goes on to say: “I know that I am able to walk in, almost 40 years into the foundation’s history, as their first BIPOC CEO because of the fight for life, access, and dignity that those before me [fought for] — those who we lost to the epidemic and those who have survived that continue to be a part of the momentum of the movement going forward…. Also, just generations of Black people that fought for our rights and a place at the table — my place at the table. It’s a historic moment for the foundation, but also just such an incredible honor.”

“The Board Search Committee was tasked with finding a leader that could oversee the complex and multi-faceted strategy and service delivery of SFAF. We have found that leader in Dr. TerMeer,” said Douglas Brooks, co-chair of SFAF’s Board of Directors and Chair of the Board Search Committee. “We have every confidence that he will guide the organization toward even greater progress on achieving the transformational goals of racial equity and health justice outlined in our strategic plan.”

“Dr. TerMeer is an incredibly talented leader and has made clear his commitment to HIV prevention and care,” said Maureen Watson, co-chair of SFAF’s Board of Directors. “His personal connection to the work, combined with his skill and demonstrated leadership in this field will no-doubt serve SFAF well. We are looking forward to seeing how he moves the work of SFAF forward.”

“I was very excited to hear that Dr. TerMeer will be joining San Francisco AIDS Foundation as the next CEO,” said Cleve Jones, the co-founder of San Francisco AIDS Foundation. “Dr. TerMeer is eminently qualified for the role through his leadership in HIV and AIDS. And it is notable that he will be our first CEO who is a person of color and also living with HIV over the organization’s nearly 40 years of history. This is an incredibly historic moment, and one that I welcome fully. With Dr. TerMeer at the helm, I have no doubt that the organization will continue to grow and evolve in order to fulfill its commitment to all of us living with and at risk of HIV.”

“San Francisco AIDS Foundation is pleased that our Board has selected the next CEO for our organization, with commitment to finding the right person for this unique role,” said Kevin Rogers, SFAF’s interim CEO. “Dr. TerMeer has demonstrated he is a strategic leader, whose focus on equity, racial justice, and experience in HIV health will serve him well as he leads our organization into its next chapter.”

About San Francisco AIDS Foundation

San Francisco AIDS Foundation promotes health, wellness, and social justice for communities most impacted by HIV, through sexual health and substance use services, advocacy, and community partnerships. Founded in 1982, SFAF envisions a future where health justice is achieved for all people living with or at risk for HIV, ultimately striving for a day when race is not a barrier to health and wellness, substance use is not stigmatized, HIV status does not determine quality of life, and HIV transmission is eliminated. Each year more than 25,000 people rely on SFAF programs and services and millions more find advocacy tools and information they need online at sfaf.org.