Matt Browning is Director of Premium Support at Plex Systems, with over 20 years of experience driving innovation in cloud-based software support. He has been involved with HIV nonprofits for over a decade, starting with Lifelong AIDS Alliance in Seattle, when a close friend was diagnosed with HIV. Matt joined UNIFIED’s board in 2019, after moving to the Detroit area. In his off time, you’ll find him traveling (5 continents so far!), camping and enjoying the outdoors (much to his partner’s horror), and experimenting with molecular gastronomy for friends and family.

Eric Kessell teaches epidemiology and public health methods in Wayne State University’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. He researches health service utilization in vulnerable populations, including homeless persons, citizens recently returned from incarceration, people with severe mental illness, and older adults at risk of re-hospitalization. He joined the UNIFIED—HIV, Health and Beyond board in 2020 to continue his public health practice and serve communities in Southeast Michigan affected by HIV. Much to his partner’s dismay, he often wreaks havoc in the kitchen with his “science projects” involving several varieties of fermentation and soap making.

Chair of the Development, Funding and Marketing committee.

Christopher J. Bergen is a Financial Advisor in the Ann Arbor office of Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. Chris advises clients in all aspects of financial planning with an emphasis on high net worth individuals and families. Chris has worked in financial services his entire career and values his trusted advisor role. Chris lives in Ann Arbor with his family and volunteers with several organizations in southeast Michigan. Chris is proud to have served on the board of UNIFIED since 2016.

Jayye is a digital media producer and artist from Detroit. They received their B.A. in Media Arts from Michigan State University in 2016 and received their M.A. in Communication from Wayne State University in 2018. They have been working in the digital media field for over 6 years. Jayye joined the UNIFIED board in August of 2020 with a passion for finding ways to creatively end the stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV. Jayye has a passion for the synergies between creativity, art and technology and is currently the Communications Director at Mothering Justice. Jayye enjoys spending time in nature, playing video games, the guitar, and experimenting with music production in Garageband.

Rick L. Knight is a strategic healthcare executive with extensive experience driving product innovation, market expansion and value creating partnerships in global pharmaceutical and medical device companies. Rick joined the UNIFIED—HIV, Health and Beyond board in 2021 to improve access to care for people living with HIV. In his spare time Rick enjoys spending time with his daughter and travelling.

Eve Mokotoff is the Chair of the Board of Directors of UNIFIED. She comes to this work following three decades of working on the HIV epidemic, primarily as an epidemiologist starting, developing and leading the state of Michigan’s HIV surveillance program. Eve joined the board in 2013 to get closer to the work of providing prevention and care services to people living with HIV in Southeast Michigan. When she isn’t working she is lifting weights or cooking for herself and others.

James (Jamie) Leyerle was formerly a manager at GM, where he worked at OnStar on outreach to Public Safety communities worldwide. Prior to that, his career was spent in the wireless telecommunications space, with focus on improving access to the public sector through the e911 system. He has extended his engagement in diversity and inclusion efforts within the SE Michigan corporate community through board work and development activities, together with volunteering with Meals on Wheels. He enjoys traveling with his husband, Brian, and learning about and cooking international cuisines.

Thomas Wilczak is a former partner of the law firm Troutman Sanders where he practiced environmental law for 30 years, retiring at the end of 2020. He is enjoying his downtime planning his next career, biking, practicing yoga, reading through his pile of books, taking online courses, dusting off vinyl records, hiking in the parks around Tucson in the winters and spending much more time with his husband, Steven. He joined the board in the late 1990s in an effort to help others survive and live with HIV after losing his partner and numerous friends to the epidemic.