On May 21, 2025, the Health Action Alliance hosted its 3rd Annual National HIV Testing Day Workshop, bringing together business leaders, public health experts, and advocates to explore how the private sector can help end the HIV epidemic in the U.S. 

The event featured expert insights, inspiring stories, and collaborative strategies to expand HIV testing, raise awareness, and reduce stigma in workplaces and communities. 

Panel Snapshot: How Employers Can Help End the HIV Epidemic‍

This cross-sector conversation, moderated by Mario Harper, Director of U.S. Business Action to End HIV, brought together a robust lineup of leaders at the intersection of business and public health. Speakers included: 

• Shawnte’ Spriggs, Advocate and Business Coach
• Tracy Watts, Senior Partner, Mercer
• ‍Tasha Menaker, Sr. Director, Global Trust and Safety Partnerships, Match Group
• Mallory Schmoll, HIV Program Lead, Walgreens‍
• Robbyn Kistler, Senior Program Officer, KFF

They shared personal stories and corporate strategies to improve HIV prevention and care.

Key Insights

Courage, collaboration, and clarity emerged as key themes throughout the discussion.

• “Knowing your status is the first step.” Mallory Schmoll described Walgreens’ deep commitment to HIV testing, sharing how their long-standing partnerships with community organizations have expanded nationwide reach.
• Tracy Watts reframed the conversation: “HIV is a chronic condition, and it’s time we treat it that way in the workplace.” She urged HR leaders to integrate HIV into broader health strategies.
• Robbyn Kistler emphasized that employers don’t have to go it alone. “We can do more together. Visibility and collaboration are key.”
• Shawnte’ Spriggs shared her lived experience in the workforce as a Black woman diagnosed with HIV, showing how one person’s story can drive awareness and compassion.
• Tasha Menaker highlighted how Match Group connects its advocacy, social impact efforts, and public policy work: “When teams are aligned, impact is amplified.”

Take-Away Tactics

Here’s how your company can turn insight into action:

• Normalize HIV testing just like cholesterol or blood pressure checks. Include it in wellness programs and health benefit communications.
• Partner with trusted providers like Walgreens or local health departments to bring testing closer to your workforce.
• Break stigma with storytelling. Encourage leaders and employees to share lived experiences when they’re comfortable, building empathy and connection.
• Align cross-functional teams. Integrate HR, employee resource groups, communications, and government relations to create unified HIV strategies.
• Support national awareness campaigns, such as National HIV Testing Day, to show solidarity and educate employees.

National HIV Testing Day Playbook for Employers

This playbook is designed to propel your company into action on National HIV Testing Day. Use it to explore partnership opportunities and to educate employees and customers about the importance of HIV testing and knowing your status. The guide includes six steps to help you make the most of the day.

Resource Roundup

Want to go deeper? These tools and resources can help you integrate HIV awareness and testing into your workplace strategy:

• Health Action Alliance | U.S. Business Action to END HIV: Ending the HIV Epidemic - A Guide for Employers 
• Health Action Alliance | U.S. Business Action to END HIV: Sample HIV Workplace Policy 
• Health Action Alliance | U.S. Business Action to END HIV: Empowering HR Leaders - A Checklist for HIV in the Workplace

About Our Coalition: U.S. Business Action to End HIV

U.S. Business Action to End HIV was founded in 2022 by the Health Action Alliance, with support from ViiV Healthcare, to mobilize the private sector to help end the HIV epidemic in the U.S.

We offer free tools, resources, and events to help employers educate workers, fight stigma, improve access to HIV prevention and treatment services, and build connections to the communities that need it most.‍

‍Join the Coalition today.

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