The Southern AIDS Coalition (SAC) announces the appointment of Danielle Houston as its new Executive Director. With more than 15 years of experience in HIV prevention, treatment, and health equity across the South, Houston brings a strong record of leadership and community-centered impact.
“Danielle’s proven leadership, strategic vision, and unwavering commitment to health equity make her the ideal person to guide SAC through this critical moment,” said Angela C. Johnson, SAC Board Chair.
Houston has held leadership roles at Gilead Sciences and NMAC, where she launched the National HIV PrEP Summit and led Southern-focused initiatives to expand prevention and treatment capacity. Her work centers on translating science into action to drive sustainable outcomes.
“Danielle’s appointment signals a powerful new era for the Southern AIDS Coalition,” said Harold Phillips, CEO of NMAC. “She’s a force—someone who can translate deep knowledge and sharp communication into real program and policy change that strengthens communities. Danielle is poised to help transform systems of HIV prevention and care across the South. NMAC has long valued our partnership with SAC, and we’re energized to continue that work with Danielle at the helm.”
“As a leader rooted in the South, Danielle brings the grounding and accountability our region demands,” added Marvell Terry II, Southern HIV mobilizer. “I’m confident she will continue to center communities most impacted by HIV and help secure the long-term stability needed to sustain Southern-led solutions.”
As Executive Director, Houston will focus on strengthening partnerships, advancing policy and structural change, and building organizational capacity to support SAC’s next phase of growth.
Danielle Houston shared,
“I see myself as a bridge—connecting data with communities, science with strategy, and innovation with implementation. The South deserves a coordinated response equal to the scale of its epidemic, and SAC’s role as the backbone organization for that response has never been more critical. I’m honored to lead SAC, alongside our Board, staff, and partners, into this next chapter with the urgency this moment demands.”
The Executive Director search was conducted in partnership with Paul Towne, Managing Director with DSG | Koya. Founded in 2004, DSG | Koya specializes in executive search for mission-driven organizations, partnering with nonprofits, NGOs, and social enterprises to identify and recruit exceptional talent.
