After two years of serving as executive director and 17 years involved in the organization in various capacities, Jimmy Thomason will be leaving the role of Executive Director of Aunt Rita’s Foundation effective April 15.

With decades of experience in both corporate and nonprofit work, Thomason looks forward to new experiences blending both. He will continue to be a supporter of the organization and its role in the HIV/AIDS community.

“The landscape of HIV in Arizona is vastly different than it was just a decade ago,” Thomason said. “Each leader has used our own talents and life experience to the role. A new perspective is important.”

During his time as executive director, Thomason oversaw the organization’s ongoing established innovative initiatives and helped bring back the organization’s fundraising and outreach events post-pandemic.

“Aunt Rita’s Foundation’s partner agencies were there for me when I was first diagnosed at 22 years old,” Thomason said. “I’m grateful for the opportunity these past two years to repay some of the generosity of time and energy that was given to me when it was needed most.”

Aunt Rita’s Foundation’s Board of Directors will conduct a thorough search for a new executive director over the course of the next 60 days, with the goal of having the role filled by April 15 to ensure a seamless transition.

All organizational operations and initiatives, including Aunt Rita’s upcoming 35th anniversary event series will continue as planned:

• Colors of Connection Community Mural Project Open House on Feb. 23–26
• Aunt Rita’s Bake Sale/Founder Skip’s 66th birthday on March 5
• AIDS Walk Arizona and 5k on March 25.

AIDS Walk Arizona is one of the largest gatherings in Arizona to advance the cause of HIV/AIDS funding and awareness. The event elevates awareness and raises funds through an educational, community-wide event. It is the flagship event of the central Arizona HIV/AIDS community, catalyzing awareness, education and support.

“We are grateful to Jimmy for his long-standing support of Aunt Rita’s Foundation and his work over the past couple of years as executive director,” said Daniel Sciortino, Board Chair for Aunt Rita’s Foundation. “Aunt Rita’s Foundation is having a greater impact on our community than ever before thanks to the hard work of Jimmy and many others in the HIV and AIDS community, and we look forward to working with our next executive director to continue that momentum moving forward.”

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 and Terros Health.

Aunt Rita’s distributes free 15-minute Home HIV oral swap test kits through GetTestedAz.org, as well as free vouchers for confidential in-person clinical testing at Safeway/Albertsons and Sonora Quest locations statewide for all STIs. 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 efforts to educate, prevent and treat HIV.