People

Jeff Berry Director of Publications; Editor, Positively Aware

Preferred pronouns: He, him, his

As Director of Publications, Jeff has served as Editor-in-Chief of Positively Aware, the leading not-for-profit HIV/AIDS magazine in the country, since 2005, overseeing production, advertising, and distribution of the publication. Jeff is also a member of a small national working group which leads The Reunion Project, a program for HIV long-term survivors that is sponsored by TPAN.

Jeff was a successful Chicago club DJ during the 80s and 90s at a number of popular gay nightclubs including Dugan's Bistro, Paradise, Bistro Too, and Circuit, and was awarded Gay Chicago's 1990 DJ of the Year.

Email: j.berry@tpan.com
Phone: 773-989-9400 x260

Merrill C Kenna, MSW Director of Development

Preferred pronouns: He, him, his

As Director of Development, Merrill drives funding strategy for the agency, securing the funds necessary to continue the impact that TPAN has made on people’s lives and to help insure the future of the organization through a comprehensive philanthropic model for success.

Prior to joining TPAN in 2017, Merrill provided leadership to many non-profit organizations across the United States including Chicago, Tucson, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Indianapolis. His primary focus has been in the area of HIV/AIDS, housing, mental health, substance abuse, and end-of-life care. Merrill has lived and worked internationally focusing on the prevention of human trafficking in S.E. Asia, fundraising consulting, and NGO infrastructure development.

Merrill is a double graduate of the University of Illinois at Chicago having earned a B.A. in Psychology and an MSW from Jane Adams College of Social Work. He also holds a degree in Accounting/Marketing from Johnson & Wales University.

Email: m.kenna@tpan.com
Phone: 773-989-9400 x243

Aquea Wynn, MA Prevention Manager

Preferred pronouns: She, her, hers

As TPAN's Prevention Program, Aquea oversees HIV and HCV testing, outreach, condom distribution, and syringe exchange services. Aquea brings years of experience working with people and volunteering with other non-profit service organizations. She enjoys that her current role allows her to encourage, motivate, and empower clients to become their best selves. In the near future, she plans to obtain her licensure to be a Licensed Professional Counselor.

Aquea joined TPAN in 2012 as a Behavioral Counselor II/Group Facilitator in the P.O.W.E.R. Program and later transitioned to Outreach Coordinator for TPAN’s first youth program, OVAH!, in October 2013. Prior to TPAN, Aquea held positions of Child/Adolescent Respite Worker, Youth Prevention Specialist, Youth Project Manager, and Youth Prevention Manager at other Chicagoland social service organizations for nearly six years. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Dillard University in and earned her master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Governors State University.

Email: a.wynn@tpan.com
Phone:773-989-9400 x269

Christina Joly, MS, LPC Psychosocial Therapist

Preferred pronouns: She, her, hers

As a full-time Psychosocial Therapist, Christina works with individual clients and facilitates some of TPAN’s support groups, including herVoice, TPAN's women’s group, and Future Focused for newly diagnosed. Christina has participated in the Ride for AIDS 200 mile bike ride in 2015 and 2016 and plans to continue riding as long as she is able to. Christina is passionate about working with those living with HIV to support and accompany them on their journey.

Christina joined TPAN in 2014 as a mental health intern while finishing her Masters in Counseling at National Louis University. Prior to joining TPAN, she worked in business for 13 years before getting the call to do something more meaningful.

Email: c.joly@tpan.com
Phone: 773-989-9400 x208

Denise Crouch Benefits & Administrative Coordinator and Distribution Manager, Positively Aware

Preferred pronouns: She, her, hers

As the Benefits & Administrative Coordinator and Distribution Manager, Denise is responsible for the on-boarding of new employees, payroll, benefit administration, employee maintenance, and office management. She also establishes the accounts for individuals and organizations in Raisers Edge for Positively Aware subscribers and handles mail request for the magazine.

Prior to joining TPAN in 2015, Denise worked at Revere Electric for 19 years. She began as a receptionist and advanced to Human Resources Assistant.

Email: d.crouch@tpan.com
Phone: 773-989-9400 x233

Fonzy Treviño Jr., MSW Ryan White Part A Case Manager

Preferred pronouns: He, him, his

As a Ryan White Part A Case Manager, Fonzy's duties include periodic client risk assessments, care plan goal development, and HIV medication assistance and adherence management.

Prior to joining TPAN in 2016, Fonzy served as an intern at TPAN during his bachelor's program at Northeastern Illinois University. He holds a Master of Social Work from Loyola University Chicago with a concentration in Leadership Development for Social Services. Fonzy has since been involved on many successful community fundraisers and rallies in support of underrepresented and disenfranchised populations. Currently, Fonzy serves as President of the Illinois Alumni Association of Phi Iota Alpha Fraternity, Inc., where he enjoys leading and mentoring others as well as spearheading numerous philanthropic campaigns geared towards funding educational scholarships.

Email: a.trevino@tpan.com
Phone:773-989-9400 x237

Gwen Jones-Robinson Ryan White Part B Case Manager

Preferred pronouns: She, her, hers

As a Ryan White Part B Case Manager, Gwen serves the HIV/AIDS community and is a member of the Ryan White Advisory Group and Illinois Department of Public Health Medical Case Management Advisory Board. Gwen also works part time with adults living with developmental disabilities.

Gwen joined TPAN as an intern in August 2012. After graduating Northeastern Illinois University in May 2013 with her bachelor’s degree in social work, Gwen took some time off before returning to TPAN as a Ryan White Part B medical case manager in December 2013. Gwen enjoys volunteering her time advocating in the community for African American and women's rights and issues and would like to also work with LGBTQ youth population in the near future. Gwen is currently pursuing a Master of Social Work degree at Loyola University Chicago specializing in mental health.

Email: g.jones-robinson@tpan.com
Phone: 773-989-9400 x203

Jessie Mott Education & Quality Improvement Manager

Preferred pronouns: She, her, hers

As Education & Quality Improvement Manager, Jessie monitors program goals and outcomes in order to ensure the successful meeting of reported scopes to city, foundation, and corporate supporters. Additionally, her role includes overseeing the TEAM (Treatment Education Adherence Management) program, an 18-hour HIV treatment education class, as well as coordinating continuing education "lunch and learn" programs for staff and clients. Also a practicing visual artist, Jessie co-facilitates the agency’s Art Therapy program.

Prior to joining TPAN in 2009, Jessie worked as the Grants Manager for BEHIV (Better Existence with HIV) in Evanston, IL and Urban Pathways, a housing organization, in New York City.

Email: j.mott@tpan.com
Phone: 773-989-9400 x232

Juan José López, LCSW Manager of Case Management

Preferred pronouns: All pronouns used respectfully

As TPAN's Manager of Case Management, Juan José oversees the agency's case management, retention, and housing programs. Working with his team of case managers, Juan José ensures that all clients receive access to the healthcare, housing, and human service programs available to them. TPAN is lucky to benefit from Juan José breadth of experience with the agency, and his dedicated involvement in Chicago's LGBTQ communities.

Juan José first came to TPAN in August of 2007 as a social work intern while he completed his bachelor's in Social Work from Northeastern Illinois University. In 2008 Juan José was hired as a Prevention Specialist, and became a member of Chicago’s HIV Prevention Planning Group, a Board Member of Orgullo Èn Acciòn, and a community member of United Latino/a Pride.

In 2010, Juan José completed his Master of Social Work degree program from the University of Illinois at Chicago, with a concentration in Mental Health, and moved to TPAN's medical case management staff. He began overseeing the program in 2016. During this time Juan José joined the Illinois Department of Public Health's Medical Case Management Advisory Board.

In January, 2017, Juan José became a member of the Chicago Area HIV Integrated Services Council CAHISC), a 42-member steering committee for the City of Chicago, which provides guidance on the allocation of funding to deliver HIV prevention, care and housing services throughout Chicago.

Email: j.lopez@tpan.org
Phone: 773-989-9400 x238

Kimberly Rogers, LCSW Mental Health Therapist

Preferred pronouns: She, her, hers

As a Mental Health Therapist, Kimberly works one-on-one with individual clients, and serves as a key resource for those who take part in TPAN's groups, including as a member of the HOTTER program team. With a Master’s of Clinical Social Work from the University of Chicago, Kimberly enjoys integrating her passion for social justice with cognitive-behavioral therapy, mindfulness, and meditation for clients. Kimberly brings to TPAN her focused study on complex post-traumatic stress, process addictions, and mindfulness in order to support clients’ own resiliencies as they navigate through the ever-changing landscape of living and loving.

Kimberly joined TPAN in 2015. Her dedication to HIV-positive communities started with 7 years of practice on the South Side of Chicago for Access Community Health Clinics.

Email: k.rogers@tpan.com
Phone: 773-989-9400 x241

Mario Heags HIV Testing and Prevention Specialist

Preferred pronouns: He, him, his

As HIV testing and prevention specialist, Mario provides confidential test counseling to TPAN clients who come into the office for testing and during outreach events.

Prior to joining TPAN in 2017, Mario worked as a prevention specialist at Austin Health Center for HIV+ Men, recruiting men between the ages of 18-59 from the West Side community. Mario received his HIV testing and counseling certification in 2017. He is well connected to the LGBT and Ballroom community, and was a former member of "Balenciaga."

Email: m.heags@tpan.com
Phone: 773-989-9400 x272

Meghan O'Malley Ryan White Part A Case Manager

Preferred pronouns: She, her, hers

As a Ryan White Part A Case Manager at TPAN, Meghan is responsible for connecting clients to much needed services such as primary medical care, mental health services, and housing resources, helping clients to improve health outcomes along the way.

Meghan joined the TPAN team in August of 2012 as an intern and then returned to TPAN in June of 2016 as a staff member. After her internship at TPAN, Meghan taught English as a foreign language to pre-school aged children in Shenyang, China and also taught independent living skills to adults with developmental disabilities.

Email: m.omalley@tpan.com
Phone: 773-989-9400 x274

Paul Konz, M.Ed, LPC Behavioral Counselor & Retention Specialist

Preferred pronouns: He, him, his

As a behavioral counselor at TPAN, Paul facilitates group and individual therapy for clients, both through the HOTTER program and from the wider community. Paul leads groups on substance abuse and addiction, healthy relationships, stress and anger management, and trauma. As retention specialist for the HOTTER program, Paul regularly follows up with program graduates to collect information for grant outcomes, and co-leads a monthly graduate support group for clients to continue their meaningful connections made with both TPAN and their peers. Paul is also a certified tester for HIV and hepatitis C, and tests both walk-in and HOTTER clients weekly, providing information and short-term counseling on sexual health, risk management and harm reduction.

Prior to joining TPAN in 2015, Paul worked as a counselor and case manager for residential rehab and detox programs at Lutheran Social Services of Illinois, and as a phone counselor for a crisis and Employee Assistance Program hotline. While finishing his graduate studies, Paul completed his clinical practicum and internship at Chicago Lakeshore Hospital, where he worked with chemically dependent patients in the facility’s LGBT-specific track, Valeo. Paul holds an masters of education in Community Counseling from DePaul University.

Email: p.konz@tpan.com
Phone: 773-989-9400 x282