Our Staff
Jeff Berry (he/him)
Executive Director
Jeff Berry is executive director and co-founder of The Reunion Project, the national alliance of HIV long-term survivors. Berry previously served as Chief Editorial Officer of TPAN and Editor of Positively Aware magazine, serving as editor from 2005–2022.
He was recently appointed to the Illinois Commission on LGBT Aging, and serves as co-chair of the HIV and Aging and Long-Term Survivor subcommittee.
Berry is the inaugural chair of the CRISPR for Cure CAB of the Martin Delaney Cure Collaboratories, and is a member of the Community Collaboration Board (CCB) of the Third Coast Center for AIDS Research (CFAR), the Fair Pricing Coalition (FPC), and the AIDS Treatment Activists Coalition (ATAC).
He resides in Chicago, Illinois with his husband Stephen and their two furry kids.
Denise Drayton (she/her)
Senior Program Manager
Denise Drayton is a New York native and nationally recognized HIV advocate, educator, and long-term survivor with over 30 years of experience. Diagnosed in 1993, she brings lived experience and professional expertise to her work, centering older adults living with HIV.
Now based in Maryland, she is a Senior Program Manager at The Reunion Project, where she leads national programming and convenings on aging with HIV. She contributes to national initiatives through the Gilead Peer Advocate Network, the NMAC 50+ Strong & Healthy Scholars Program, and the National HIV & Aging Advocacy Network Women of Color Rise Up Special Interest Group, and is a 2025–2026 Policy Fellow with Positive Women’s Network-USA.
Heather Rhea (she/they)
Programs and communications specialist
Heather O’Connor is a mother living with HIV- diagnosed in 2016. She currently serves as Program Coordinator for The Reunion Project and has experience with communication and programmatic work for several HIV-specific organizations, such as the International Community of Women Living with HIV, National Working Positive Coalition, Ribbon and the Well Project.
Heather is responsible for outward-facing materials representing The Reunion Project, as well as the management of incoming communications. Heather also provides technical assistance for webinars and other virtual events. Heather also sits on the Perinatal Guideline Panel. Heather is the inspiration for the development of “The Milky Moovement +”, a supportive network for mothers/ birthing parents with an interest in breast/chest feeding.
Waheedah Shabazz-El (she/her)
Director of Community Engagement
Waheedah Shabazz-El is a Black American Muslim woman and retired postal worker, diagnosed with AIDS in 2003. A Community Organizer, Strategist & Trainer, a graduate of Project Teach and a longtime member of ACT-UP Philadelphia.
Waheedah is a founding member of Positive Women’s Network-USA and is currently advancing a national alliance of HIV long-term survival with The Reunion Project.
In the area of HIV Cure Research Waheedah is chairperson Emeritus for the Delaney Collaboratory BEAT HIV Cure CAB at the Wistar Institute as well as the Penn CFAR CAB.
Her proudest moments: A White House reception in 2010, invited by President Barack Obama. Delivering the Closing Plenary address at the XVIII International AIDS Conference in Vienna, Austria, representing the USA.
