Gilead Community Champions Program
Since 2021, SenateSHJ has supported Gilead and the National Association of People with HIV Australia (NAPWHA) to deliver the Community Champions program, a national campaign that honours the unsung heroes of the HIV sector.
Now in its fifth year, the program continues to spotlight peer workers, volunteers, healthcare allies and advocates whose efforts often go unrecognised. Our role spans campaign strategy, creative development, stakeholder engagement and media execution, all underpinned by deep sector insight and strong relationships within the HIV community.
Video storytelling from the HIV community
Watch some of the stories from our previous Champions
The Community Champions program was developed to shine a light on the individuals whose impact on the HIV community is powerful but often overlooked. From peer navigators, community volunteers to healthcare professionals and allies, it celebrates those who go above and beyond to support others.
Lived experiences are central to the program, and significant care is taken to encourage nominations that reflect the diversity of the HIV community, including intersections of culture, geography, age and identity. Through this approach, the campaign continues to reach outside the sector, inviting new audiences to understand, value and support the efforts of people driving positive change.
To showcase the depth and diversity of the HIV community, SenateSHJ works with NAPWHA and Gilead to evolve the campaign focus each year. Categories have highlighted First Nations leaders, older activists, researchers, rural health workers and migrant community connectors.
In 2025, we worked with Gilead and NAPWHA to introduce new categories such as Health Ally, Peer Champion, Emerging Leader, Bolder (Better Older) Champion and Overseas Born Champion. This adaptable approach allows us to highlight new voices and celebrate a broader spectrum of contributions.
We lead the annual campaign rollout with a peer nomination drive, promoted through NAPWHA and Gilead’s social channels, supported by a toolkit of print, digital and video content. In collaboration with NAPWHA and Gilead, we work with previous nominators and the close knit, supportive nature of communities to encourage people to nominate someone deserving from their community to receive recognition.
Once category Champions are selected by a panel of peers, we lead in depth interviews and produce high impact video content that tells each person’s story with care and clarity. These stories are first shared with community at Gilead’s World AIDS Day event and are then repurposed to share more broadly on social media in recognition of their contributions.
We create tailored videos for Gilead and NAPWHA’s social media channels, and share campaign materials with stakeholders so they can amplify the Community Champions program and recipients. To increase visibility beyond the HIV sector, we manage a targeted earned media strategy across medical, community and LGBTIQ+ outlets, extending reach and deepening impact.
Robert Wisniewski, Gilead Sciences
SenateSHJ takes the time to truly connect with each Community Champion and tell their stories with care, authenticity and impact. Their team is thoughtful, professional and a pleasure to work with.
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