AIDS Foundation Chicago is proud to announce the return of Meg McElroy to our team as Director of Special Projects for Getting to Zero Illinois (GTZ-IL). An experienced project manager and community engagement and coalition builder, Meg will lead AFC’s work on the statewide initiative to end the HIV epidemic in Illinois, collaborating with cross-sector stakeholders to implement the recently released GTZ-IL Plan 2.0.
“We are thrilled to have Meg's leadership, talent, and expertise back at AFC, leading the Getting to Zero Illinois (GTZ-IL) initiative that she helped shape from the very beginning,” said Nadeen Israel, Senior Vice President for Policy & Advocacy at AFC.
In her new role, Meg will focus on advancing equitable, systems-level strategies across the state, while elevating and prioritizing the voices and experiences of those most impacted by the HIV epidemic in Illinois. Getting to Zero Illinois proposes actionable objectives organized by overarching pathways that provide practical guidance for municipalities, healthcare providers, nonprofits and other stakeholders to work together toward ending the epidemic. The 2.0 version of the plan was developed with input from people with lived experience of HIV first and foremost.
“Being back with AFC feels like a homecoming,” she said, emphasizing a shared dedication to a people-first approach. “The Getting to Zero initiative isn’t just about data sets- it is about people. I’m committed to ensuring that the voices of people living with HIV and those vulnerable to HIV are at the forefront of every decision we make.”
Previously, Meg served as the Senior Program Director for the Advocacy Department at the ACLU of Illinois, where she worked to create and execute a robust policy agenda with her team. She prioritized coalition-building to advance legislative priorities for communities most impacted by the organization’s initiatives. Before her time at the ACLU, Meg was the Manager of Policy & Advocacy at AFC, where she played a key role in driving the organization’s public health policy agenda. In this capacity Meg worked to lobby and advance legislation, lead coalitions, as well as contribute to special projects, including the statewide Getting to Zero Illinois initiative. Meg is excited to return to the GTZ project in this next chapter.
“One of the things I am most passionate about is building bridges across Illinois, connecting with communities and stakeholders to drive a more equitable and accessible approach to HIV treatment and prevention,” Meg says. “GTZ gives us the chance to reshape the future of HIV in Illinois, and I’m thrilled to be part of that journey.”
Meg’s professional background is rooted in clinical practice and advocacy, with extensive experience as a clinician and senior administrator focused on maternal and infant health outcomes, LGBTQIA+ wellbeing, and gender justice and equity. She holds a Master’s in Clinical Psychology from the Chicago School of Professional Psychology and a BA in Social Work with a Minor in Women’s Studies from Lewis University. Throughout her career, Meg has remained dedicated to advancing equitable health policies and amplifying the voices of those most affected by public health and social justice issues.
Meg’s advocacy is deeply rooted in her family and her experiences as a queer partner and parent. In her spare time, Meg can be found outdoors, regardless of the weather, with her wife and 4-year-old. She enjoys walking around her neighborhood, hiking, and camping in the woods in equal measure. She mentions gathering family and friends around her dining table as a favorite activity, a ritual that not only gives her an excuse to cook and try new foods, but that inspires her dedication to building inclusive and supportive communities which prioritize belonging.
To follow along with Meg’s work with Getting to Zero Illinois, you can sign up for the GTZ mailing list and Policy & Advocacy mailing lists. To take action alongside AFC Policy & Advocacy, you can subscribe to our text alerts.
