James Sykes is highly motivated and committed to advancing health policy, advocacy, and education. He is an experienced health advocate supporting global, federal, and state legislation supporting people living with chronic diseases with a specific focus on HIV/AIDS. James became involved with HIV/AIDS in 1994 when he became a volunteer support “buddy” for a person living with HIV/AIDS in Atlanta, Georgia.
In 1999, he joined the Tampa AIDS Network, Tampa, Florida, where he implemented a pilot program to increase adherence to treatment among minority clients. He subsequently became Director of Education, where he supervised the Community Outreach/Education and HIV Testing Programs. In 2004, he joined The AIDS Institute (TAI), a public policy research and advocacy organization, serving in several capacities – the last of which was Director of Global Policy. From July 2011 until December 2012, James served as Advocacy Manager for HealthHIV, Inc., a capacity building and technical assistance organization that advances effective prevention, care, and support for people living with, or at risk for, HIV/AIDS.
James was most recently Job and Day Treatment Manager at Project ReDirect, a provider of support services for people living with mental and physical disabilities in Washington, DC and Las Vegas, Nevada. James also served as Board Secretary of the Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease until January 2021.