Heshie Zinman has been a passionate advocate for the health of LGBT and HIV communities for more than three decades helping to shape Philadelphia’s response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic from 1987-1998. He was a driving force behind the start up of ActionAIDS, AIDS Fund, and Delaware Valley Legacy Fund. He co-founded the AIDS Library of Philadelphia and strongly believes in the principle that “Information is Power.”
His leadership and service in the non-profit arena was followed by a career in the pharmaceutical industry where he served as HIV Community Relations Manager for DuPont Pharmaceuticals and Bristol-Myers Squibb.
In 2010, continuing to live his philosophy of “taking care of our own”, Heshie co-founded the LGBT Elder Initiative. He is committed to building bridges between the Aging and LGBT service and community organizations through advocacy, information and training.
He currently serves on the Pennsylvania Long Term Care Commission and the Governor’s LGBT Work Group where he advocates for policies that can improve the aging experience of LGBT older Pennsylvanians across the Commonwealth.
Heshie is also very active in his synagogue, Congregation Rodeph Shalom, where he serves on the Board of Directors and chairs the LGBTQIA connections group-pRiSm.