STACEY JAY CAVALIERE Named Executive Director of Aunt Rita’s Foundation

Stacy Jay Cavaliere, a dedicated, experienced leader in Arizona’s nonprofit community, has been named the new executive director of the Aunt Rita’s Foundation in Phoenix, Arizona. With nearly 20 years of experience working in social services and the nonprofit arena, Cavaliere will build upon Aunt Rita’s solid foundation, serving as its chief fundraising and administrative officer leading its development/administrative team. The Foundation, whose mission is to end HIV in Arizona, noted that Cavaliere will bring fresh eyes and new perspectives to the Valley-based nonprofit and lead it into its next chapter.

Cavaliere is considered a respected professional in the field, having held various executive leadership positions throughout his career. He is a tireless advocate for vulnerable populations and marginalized communities, including youth and young adults of color, justice-involved populations in recovery, houseless individuals and those living with HIV. Additionally, he has developed and managed positive youth development and homelessness prevention programs, stewarded major corporate and sustaining donor initiatives and has extensive experience executing record-breaking fundraising events.

“On behalf of the Board of Directors, I want to extend a warm welcome to Stacey Jay,” said the chair of Aunt Rita’s Board of Directors, Daniel Sciortino, who led the search committee. “With nearly 20 years in nonprofit leadership and a great track record as a teambuilder, innovator and change agent, I know he will be an excellent leader. We are thrilled to support him as he builds upon the solid foundation.”

Cavaliere walks proud in his truth as an HIV-positive individual, often serving as a personal resource for others. When he was first diagnosed, Aunt Rita’s Foundation was one of the first agencies he reached out to for resources, a move which led him to receiving services at several of the partnering agencies.

“My journey has now come full circle and I truly believe the universe is calling me to serve the community in a new capacity,” said Cavaliere. “As the incoming executive director of Aunt Rita’s Foundation, I look forward to leading this dedicated team and supporting the partnering agencies during this pivotal time in the Foundation’s history; building upon the Foundation’s rich legacy, and working tirelessly each day to end HIV in Arizona. Let’s get to work!”

Aunt Rita’s partner agencies include Ebony House, The Bill Holt Clinic at Phoenix Children’s Hospital, CAN Community Health, Chicanos Por La Causa LUCES Program, HEAL International, HIV Care Directions, Valleywise Health, one n ten, Southwest Behavioral Health Services, Southwest Center, Shot in the Dark, Southwest Recovery Alliance, Terros Health and more.

Having already provided millions of dollars in grant funding in support of critical HIV prevention and treatment programs throughout Arizona, Aunt Rita’s distributes free 15-minute Home HIV oral swap test kits through GetTestedAz. org, where free vouchers for confidential in-person clinical testing at Safeway/ Albertsons and Sonora Quest locations statewide for all STIs can be used. Aunt Rita’s Foundation also works with the Arizona Department of Health Services to connect individuals of any status to knowledgeable providers covering the entire state through HIVAZ.ORG.

Aunt Rita’s Foundation was a founding member with the City of Phoenix Fast Track Cities initiative and plays a vital role in advocating at the Arizona legislature and state government to establish laws, regulations and policies that further its efforts to educate, prevent HIV and to treat HIV. •

For more information on Aunt Rita’s Foundation, visit www.auntritas.org.