The MOCHA Center, Inc.
Bruce E. Smail
Bruce E. Smail, M.A., is the Executive Director of the MOCHA Center. As a social justice advocate, Smail has extensive experience with students of colors, LGBTQ students, and people living with HIV/AIDS. With over 20 years of professional experience, Smail’s career as well as his knowledge and experience in diversity, social justice, and HIV/AIDS provide unique perspectives in leading the MOCHA Center. As a bisexual, person of color, living with HIV, and raised in the Caribbean, Smail has been passionate about addressing multiple dimensions of identity and finding ways to value all parts of one’s identity. Furthermore, he advocates for silenced voices in organizations and creates spaces for those voices to emerge. Smail strongly believes that the issue of HIV/AIDS is complex and must address the multiple layers of culture, sexuality, and sexual identity to be effective in reducing the spread of HIV. Smail is very excited to join the MOCHA Team and engage the local communities of Buffalo and Rochester as well as the State of New York.
Sheila Fowler
Sheila Fowler is an Administrative Coordinator in the Rochester office since 2006, responsible for day-to-day operations. Sheila was given the unofficial title of Nurse Case Manager in Loco Parentis for her level head, stellar work ethic and willingness to take on impossible tasks at the last minute. This award recognized Sheila for tending to the multiple needs of staff, volunteers and community members with apblomb in celebration of MOCHA Weekend 2010.
Stephaun E. Wallace
Stephaun E. Wallace, BS, BA, is a behavioral researcher, national trainer and consultant with over 12 years experience in the field of public health and over 16 years experience in community mobilization and advocacy work. Mr. Wallace serves as the Director of Programs & Services – Buffalo and he is a nationally recognized leader for solutions-based advocacy for, and on behalf of, communities of color and the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community. Mr. Wallace enjoys music, traveling, reading, and movies and is finishing a dual Master’s degree in Management and Organizational Leadership and will be pursuing a Ph.D in Gender Studies shortly thereafter.
Yaritza Pineiro
Yaritza Piñeiro holds a BS in Criminal Justice, and has worked and volunteered in the field of public health for 4 years. Mrs. Piñeiro is a Health Educator in the Buffalo office. She conducts the risk reduction counseling, provides client navigation services to social and health services providers, and conducts outreach and HIV/ STD 101 Presentations. Mrs. Pineiro is a mother of three children and is very dedicated to work and family.
Andrea Leuser
Andréa E. Leuser has an AAS in Dietetics and is a Dietetic Technician Registered (DTR). A part-time Health Educator in the Buffalo Office, Andréa is a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer (Botswana ’08—’10) where she worked as a Community Health Educator providing HIV/AIDS prevention education and outreach. A recent addition to the MOCHA team Andréa is excited to continue her passion for community wellness and looks forward to working with the different members of the community. Raised in Arizona, Andréa moved to Buffalo to purse a Bachelor’s in Nursing. Being from the desert Andréa appreciates the beauty of Buffalo, the green, the trees, the lake and she even gets excited when it snows.
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