The Aliveness Project welcomes three newly elected board members to its Board of Directors. Each new board member brings mission-driven passion, personal experience, and professional expertise to the Aliveness Project. For the first time, women have an equal part representation on the Aliveness Project Board – we are excited the positive impact this will have!
When HIV/AIDS was first identified more than 40 years ago, it was thought to mostly affect gay men. However, as the years passed, women have emerged as a group hard hit by the epidemic. In particular, Black women, transwomen, and African-born women have continue to be disproportionately impacted by HIV.
We celebrate and welcome all the women on our Board of Directors! Each board member was interviewed and elected by the Membership Advisory Committee (MAC). Learn more about each new board member:
Raquelle Paulsen (she/her) – UMN-Youth & AIDS Projects
When she is not busy loving and spending time with her husband and 3 fur babies, Raquelle is an outspoken advocate here in the Twin Cities. Using her intersectional story of being a Black woman of Trans* experience who is HIV+ and in recovery, she’s seeks to create safe spaces and services for folks in our community who live furthest on the margins. While Raquelle has served in several positions working with those who are in need of harm reduction care and treatment services and in Trans* health care, she recently returned to the field of HIV as the Lead Case Manager at UMN-Youth & AIDS Projects (YAP).
Jenn Schall (she/her) – Meet Minneapolis
Jenn joined Meet Minneapolis in April 2017, and manages the team working directly with the local hospitality and tourism industry to promote Minneapolis as a destination, and, as a result, makes connections that help achieve economic growth for the regional community. As a longtime volunteer and summer staff with One Heartland (formerly Camp Heartland), she is passionate about HIV/AIDS education and keeping the public discussion at the forefront. She is so appreciative to be welcomed to the Board of Directors and The Aliveness Project community, and looks forward to growing friendships with members and staff. Jenn lives in Northeast Minneapolis with her very patient tiny dog, Louie, who loves riding in a dog backpack around the city on a moped. She is also a nationally touring stand-up comedian.
Rachel Prosser PhD, APRN, CNP, FAANP (she/her) – Gilead Sciences
Rachel A. Prosser is a Principal Medical Scientist for Gilead Sciences, Inc. and possesses a strong clinical and research area of expertise in Infectious Diseases. She was the Associate Director of the HIV/AIDS research program at Hennepin County Medical Center. She is the Medical Director for Rural AIDS Action Network of Minnesota and faculty member in the School of Nursing at Metropolitan State University.
Dr. Prosser is an invited international and national speaker on the topic of HIV. She has provided clinical care and expertise in South Africa, Botswana and the Philippines. Dr. Prosser has authored several peer reviewed journal publications and has contributed chapters to the American Academy of HIV Medicine and Manual of Men’s Health textbooks.
Dr. Prosser served as President Elect (2012-2013) and President (2013-2015) of Minnesota Nurse Practitioners Organization. In 2015, she received the State Excellence Award by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners. In 2016, she was inducted as Fellow into the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners. In 2021, Dr. Prosser joined the Women’s Business Collaborative as a member of the Advisory Council.
