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Following her founding of the PWN-Greater Houston Area chapter, a four-year tenure on the PWN Board of Directors, two years of service as deputy director, and two years as co-executive director of Positive Women’s Network-USA, Venita Ray will be stepping down from her full-time position at the end of 2022 to launch an independent consulting practice and to support better work-life balance.
“I am proud of the work PWN has done to ensure the voices of women living with HIV, especially Black women living with HIV, are well-represented in policy and decision-making nationally,” said Venita. “I am not going far and will continue to be involved in PWN’s work. I have full confidence in the PWN leadership, staff and board in navigating this transition and look forward to continuing to play a role in some of the important projects we have begun.”
During Venita’s tenure with PWN, she helped launch a new national day of action, Celebrate and Honor Black Women in the HIV Movement, which in 2023 will take place on August 18th; strengthened and streamlined PWN’s chapter and grassroots organizing structure; and developed PWN’s Texas Strike Force, a renowned statewide advocacy coalition led by Texans living with HIV. Venita’s additional contributions to PWN and to the larger HIV field during her time with us are immeasurable.
“There are no words to adequately describe everything that Venita’s leadership has brought to PWN and how much her presence will be missed. Venita has consistently been an inspiration to me and has strengthened PWN’s work, mission and focus. It has been the honor of my lifetime to co-direct this organization with her. Venita remains a key part of the PWN family, even as her formal role with the organization is changing. This transition represents just another way that Venita continues to lead us, by modeling what it looks like for social justice leaders to practice healthy boundaries and self-care. We know she is in this movement for the long haul and will continue to have a tremendous impact for many years to come. Moving forward, PWN remains committed to elevating and centering leadership by Black women living with HIV and that will be key in our search for a new co-director and for all future leadership of PWN,” said Naina Khanna, co-executive director of PWN-USA.
Venita’s last day in a full time capacity at PWN will be December 22, 2022. Please join us in congratulating Venita on this transition, sending her love, and wishing her all the best!
In sisterhood, solidarity and sustainability,
For media comments contact Victoria Siciliano at [email protected]
