Cynthia Nelson
Cynthia Nelson, President, joined the SAAF family in 2015. Cynthia’s career spans more than 30 years in healthcare management, research administration and fundraising roles within Baylor College of Medicine in Houston.
During her time with Baylor College she worked closely with a nationally recognized team responsible for research and treatment focused on HIV testing, adherence to retroviral therapy and retention in HIV care at the Health Services Research & Development Center of Innovation in Quality Effectiveness and Safety. Additionally, Cynthia has had strong leadership roles in Houston at Texas Children’s Cancer Center, Department of Family Practice and the Huffington Center on Aging and most recently the Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation, Inc., here in San Antonio.
Alberto Barragan
Alberto Barragan, Director of Testing, started at SAAF as a Testing Counselor in 2012. His involvement with HIV/AIDS began at Project Vida in Chicago, IL before relocating to San Antonio, Texas. He oversees all testing grants and four testing counselors who administer free HIV, syphilis, Hep-C, TB testing at SAAF and other offsite events. He also oversees the Use Me initiative, which targets alternative lifestyles and men who have sex with men, and is an advocate and leader in the LGBT community.
Jose Cervantes
Jose Cervantes, Sr. Vice President of Client Services, joined SAAF in 2005. His primary responsibility is the coordination of case management, client advocacy and housing services to over 800 clients. Together with a dedicated staff, Jose is commited to ensuring clients are linked with healthcare, psychosocial and other client centered services. Jose earned his Masters degree in Counseling, with an emphasis in Professional Mental Health Counseling, from Webster University and is also a Licensed Baccalaureate Social Worker with the state of Texas, having obtained his degree from the University of Houston.
Theresa Haywood-Castile
Theresa Haywood-Castile, Vice President of Food Services, came to SAAF from Dallas, TX in 1995. She oversees seven staff members providing 3 hot meals a day, 365 days a year, including holidays as part of the Nourishing SAAF program which serves 4,000 meals a month to clients living with HIV/AIDS. Also, she and her staff arrange for a special meal monthly through the Chef of the Month Program and coordinates a monthly food bank with the San Antonio Food Bank for our clients and surrounding communities. Prior to joining SAAF, Theresa worked for the Living Centers of America.
Adolph Delgado
Adolph J. Delgado, Senior Programmatic Officer, joined SAAF in 2016. Adolph’s earned both his B.A. in Psychology and M.S. in Health and Kinesiology from the University of Texas at San Antonio, where he currently serves as an adjunct professor.
Before joining the SAAF family, Adolph was a research consultant for Pearson’s Research & Innovations Network, spearheading research projects regarding the effects of rapid feedback on standardized testing. His current research focuses primarily on evaluating moderating factors that reduce the behaviors associated with the acquisition and transmission of STIs and HIV among at-risk populations.
Monica Lerma
Monica Lerma, Senior Financial Officer, oversees all billing and bookkeeping for SAAF, as well as all financial administration and grant billing maintenance. Monica brings with her in-depth knowledge of administration and financial performance. She possesses a M.B.A. in Business Administration from Texas A&M University-Kingsville and a B.B.A. in marketing from the same institution.
Keyasha Morgan
Keyasha Morgan, Director of Human Resources, came to SAAF in September 2014. She oversees the Human Resources department. Prior to SAAF, Keyasha worked for a payroll and human resources company and spent eight years serving in the Air Force. Keyasha holds a MHRM from Keller Graduate School and a B.S. in Computer Forensics from American Intercontinental University.
Ken Slavin
Ken Slavin was named Vice President of Communications for the San Antonio AIDS Foundation in January 2016. He directs all strategic marketing, media relations, branding and community outreach. He also works closely with SAAF’S education, special event and fundraising teams. An honors graduate of St. Mary’s University, the veteran PR executive has represented a wide variety of clients and employers over the years, ranging from nonprofit organizations to Fortune 100 companies. He is also a noted jazz vocalist and recording artist and recently became a voting member of The Recording Academy, which produces The GRAMMY Awards.
Samuel Valdez
Samuel Valdez, Vice President of Development, began with San Antonio AIDS Foundation, in 2013, as a member of a tight-knit marketing team. Honing his creative design and outstanding interpersonal skills, he helped SAAF elevate their marketing strategies to meet growing goals, event logistics, alternative fundraising and agency partnerships, all in SAAF’s ultimate legacy of continuing to help others. He currently oversees special events, ongoing fundraising efforts and community outreach for those interested in volunteering time with the San Antonio AIDS Foundation.
Vanessa Zuniga
Vanessa Zuniga, Director of Education, came to SAAF in March of 2003. She directly manages the Your The Cure Program which provides prevention education for Bexar and surrounding counties from schools to jails to corporate offices. Vanessa focuses on educating youth on dangers of this disease and the effects it has on young adults as they continue to account for at least half of all newly diagnosed cases of HIV.