Ray Fernandez

AMFT, Patient Care Manager for AltaMed Healthcare

Ray Fernandez grew up in Baldwin Park, CA in the San Gabriel Valley. He is 5th generation Chicano on his father’s side and Yonsei on his mother’s side. He came out as gay at age 15. Ray graduated from UCLA with a B.A. in Women’s Studies and a Minor in Chicana/o Studies and has an M.A. in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University. He has worked in the field of HIV/Education and prevention for the last 20 years. He is currently an AMFT and is a patient care manager on a Medical Care Coordination Team working with HIV positive clients.

Natalie Sanchez

Director of UCLA Family AIDA Network

Natalie is a third generation Mexican-American born and raised in the San Fernando Valley. She is a two time BRUIN with a Master in Public Health degree from UCLA’s Executive MPH Program and holds a Bachelor degree in Sociology. She is well-known for her work as creator, Executive Producer, and writer of the award-winning telenovela web series “Sin Vergüenza” which addresses HIV in Latino communities. Natalie has created and led some of the largest and most successful multicultural HIV campaigns as well as implemented a combination of public health strategies to reduce HIV infections in Southern California. Sin Vergüenza, Ask Me About PrEP, Free to Be campaigns have become prominent HIV educational tools among community health organizations across the country aimed at reducing HIV health disparities. She is not only a leader in HIV but has broken into the film industry where she has used film for public health messages and has created a space showcasing Latinos and LGBTQ persons as main characters in their own lives. Natalie is the Director of UCLA Family AIDS Network where she manages a network of providers serving women, infants, children and youth living with HIV in Los Angeles. She is the community co-chair of the California Planning Group on HIV and STDs and is a planning member of the National Latinx HIV Conference.

Jose Ramos

National Director of Sales AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF.org)

13 years of volunteer work in the HIV/AIDS arena, of which I’ve been serving as the Founder/President of Impulse Group International, a volunteer group spanning over 12 countries, 25 chapters and over 375 volunteers. I also previously served as a Board Member of AHF for 4 years. Prior to joining AHF, I spent 16 years of service in the retail industry, 12 of which with Target Corporation, starting my career as the Executive of Guest Experience and progressing into a General Store Manager. I earned a bachelor’s degree in Psychology with an emphasis in Cognition and an MBA with a focus on Management and Organizational Behavior.

Dr. Hilda Sandoval, php, lmft

Director of Behavioral Health Programs at JWCH Institute

Dr. Hilda Sandoval is an experienced leader and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who has focused her career on addressing social and health inequities experienced by marginalized communities. She has over 19 years of experience with nonprofit organizations focused on eliminating health disparities for the Latinx, African American and LGBTQI communities. Her work expands from direct program oversight, leadership development, project development and capacity building. Currently, she is serving as the Director of Behavioral Health Programs at JWCH Institute, Inc. which provides critical mental health services to the Skid Row and other low-income areas throughout Los Angeles County. Dr. Sandoval has co-written and produced successful public health campaigns focused on HIV prevention, including the nationally recognized series Sin Vergüenza, a bilingual telenovela focused on addressing HIV in the Latino community. She draws from her training and experience when developing campaigns to raise awareness on issues that continue to negatively impact the community, helping to raise social consciousness and bridge cultural gaps. She co-founded Social Exchange Institute which aims to create innovative media and research through the promotion of social justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion. Dr. Sandoval holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology and a Master’s Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy.