Board and Staff
Board of Directors
In Memoriam
Bob Caviano, Founder (1950-1992)
Mel Cheren (1933-2007)
Gary Dell’Abate, Board President
“I lost a brother to AIDS in 1991. I knew right then I would become active in the fight against AIDS. Working with Lifebeat has been an incredibly rewarding experience. Our work has a great impact and it helps me to keep my brother’s memory alive.”
Daniel Glass, Founding Board President
“I am proud to have co-founded Lifebeat with Bob Caviano. Bob called me shortly after he was diagnosed with HIV to tell me of the lack of treatment, advice, knowledge and comfort that he received. There was nowhere to turn in the music industry, so we created Lifebeat to help open a dialogue and break down the doors of ignorance and lack of compassion.”
Burton Goldstein, Board Treasurer
Tim Rosta, Founding Executive Director
Ali Harnell
Bruno del Granado
“AIDS is wreaking havoc in the Spanish-speaking world and there is stigma and ignorance attached to the disease and those affected by it. Music happens to be one Latin culture’s gifts to the world and what better way to educate Latinos on HIV and AIDS than through the language of music?”
Denise Rich
“Music is such an important part of my life and the opportunity to use it to help educate young people about HIV has been an extremely rewarding experience. Our future is in the hands of the next generation. It is imperative that we do all that we can to ensure that they stay healthy and strong.”
Donna Futterman, M.D.
“On the issue of HIV/AIDS, there are few voices advocating on behalf of young people. Lifebeat is one of those voices and music is one of the most powerful ways to reach youth. As young people remain at high risk and represent half of all new HIV infections, I have dedicated my AIDS work to combating the rising rate of HIV infection in youth and treating those who are living with the virus.”
Emil Wilbekin
“AIDS is killing the urban community. I have been a fan of Lifebeat’s for many years because of their commitment to AIDS education and awareness through the music industry. Now that urban music is so popular, it makes sense to use vehicles like UrbanAID to reach our young people and save lives.”
Emilienne Gray
Maneesh K. Goyal
Mitch Slater, Board President Emeritus
“AIDS has been with us far too long and has claimed far too many lives. Reaching young people about HIV prevention is a crucial element in the eradication of the disease. It is my hope that through the work of organizations like Lifebeat, my children will be able to grow up in a world where HIV and AIDS are foreign words.”
Paul Schindler Esq.
Ross Zapin
“We are fortunate to have the power of music, and committed music artists and professionals, to help us reach out and communicate Lifebeat’s important message to today’s teens and young adults. HIV/AIDS prevention is a global yet personal goal for all of us involved with Lifebeat, and I am proud to be among them.”
Sandra ‘Pepa’ Denton
Sonia Muckle
Stephen Hill
“The reason for my involvement in Lifebeat is simple and personal. My prep school roommate and close friend died from AIDS. I’m in the music industry. Lifebeat is the representation of the Music Industry Fight(ing) AIDS. I can’t bring my man Lloyd back, but perhaps through Lifebeat’s efforts, I can help not lose someone else.”
Van Toffler
“Lifebeat’s furthering of the connection to young people through music and information sharing around the issues of HIV and AIDS is invaluable and is the reason for my involvement.”
Staff
Erika Banks
Manager, Hearts & Voices
ebanks[at]lifebeat.org
Leslie Doyle
Events and PR Consultant
lbdoyle[at]lifebeat.org
Sharlene Shortt
Manager, Tour Outreach
sshortt[at]lifebeat.org
