Aileen Getty has been actively engaged in responding to the suffering caused by the global AIDS epidemic for decades, and she has long witnessed the remarkable kindness and hope The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation brings into the lives of those suffering from its impact.

Compassion and empathy for individuals living in challenging circumstances inspired Aileen in 2005 to start Gettlove, a nonprofit organization in Hollywood created to acknowledge, house and sustain housing for homeless individuals in Los Angeles. Aileen’s philanthropic efforts in Los Angeles also include supporting other organizations responding to homelessness, participation in preserving and creating public parks, and her responsibilities as a Trustee of the Museum of Contemporary Art.

In 2012 Aileen established the Aileen Getty Foundation which supports a wide range of local and global organizations and initiatives that enhance the environment, our communities and the lives of individuals through innovation, preservation, connection and kindness.

As a dynamic arts business executive with 35 years of art and auction experience at Christie’s and Sotheby’s and an internationally renowned auctioneer, Andrea Fiuczynski is highly regarded in the global marketplace. She has been featured in Vogue, Tatler and Art Info under the headline “Women Who Shook Up the Artworld”. As Founder and CEO of Arts International Services LLC, Ms. Fiuczynski draws on executive level arts business expertise to provide curatorial and collection guidance, with seasoned experience in all aspects of fine and decorative arts collecting categories.

Ms. Fiuczynski’s first encounter with HIV AIDS was in 1988, when Peter Krueger, the Head of Christie’s NY French Furniture department and her boss, succumbed to complications due to HIV AIDS. First diagnosed in 1986, Mr. Krueger continued to work tirelessly, supported professionally by Ms. Fiuczynski, who later lead the department in his stead and continued his legacy until her transfer to Christie’s Berlin in 1995.

Since 1990, Ms. Fiuczynski has served as auctioneer for high profile global charitable organizations including, but not limited to, amfAR, The Clinton Foundation, UNICEF, Sean Penn’s Haitian Relief Organization, CORE, The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation, The Elton John AIDS Foundation, Project Angel Food, The American Red Cross, The Dodgers Foundation, The Art of Elysium, the Anti-Defamation League and Asia Society. She has also served as charity auctioneer for arts institutions including The Studio Museum in Harlem, Inner-City Arts, MOCA, SFMOMA, Pacific Asia Museum and Pratt Institute, amongst many others. As one of Christie’s and Sotheby’s elite international auctioneers, Ms. Fiuczynski has conducted sales commercially in New York, Los Angeles, London, Amsterdam and Hong Kong, as well as in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Belgium, presiding over notable international collections and inaugural sale categories introduced into new selling markets.

In 2011, Ms. Fiuczynski worked closely on Christie’s storied NY auctions of The Collection of Elizabeth Taylor, and served as auctioneer for the sale of Ms. Taylor’s haute couture. In 2019, Ms. Fiuczynski joined The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation’s Ball Committee and secured Christie’s partnership with ETAF to power the live auction for the organization’s inaugural virtual gala on World AIDS Day in 2020. Ms. Fiuczynski co-chairs ETAF’s 2021 Ball Committee with fellow ETAF Ambassador Lyn Rothman.

Beth Rudin DeWoody, daughter of the late real estate developer Lewis Rudin and the late Gladyce Begelman, is a native New Yorker. Beth studied anthropology and film at UC Santa Barbara and completed her studies at the New School for Social Research in NYC where she received her BA in Liberal Arts. After working as a production assistant on several films and then producing the documentary “Who Gets To Call It Art” on Henry Geldzahler, Beth began working more with her family company, Rudin Management. She is the president of the Rudin Family Foundation and executive vice president of the Rudin Management Company.

Her passion for art led to her curating many art shows, and her vast art collection has been showcased at the Parrish Museum in Southampton, Long Island, as well as the Norton Museum of Art in West Palm Beach. Beth is on the board of the Whitney Museum of Art, New Yorkers For Children, Creative Time, The New School University, Brooklyn Academy of Music. She is also on the Advisory Board of The Glass House in New Canaan and the Board of Overseers at The Hammer Museum of Los Angeles. Beth also serves on the Parsons Board of Governors of the New School University and is on the Council of Conservators of the New York Public Library, and the Library Association of MOMA.

Beth resides with her husband, Firooz Zahedi, between New York City, Los Angeles, and West Palm Beach. She has a son Carlton, a grandson Jackson and one daughter Kyle as well as a step-son, Darian Zahedi.

Billy Porter is an Emmy, Tony and Grammy Award-winning, and Golden Globe-nominated, actor, singer, director, composer, and playwright from Pittsburgh, PA.

His electric portrayal of ‘Pray Tell’ in the FX’s breakthrough series “Pose,” earned him the Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series, as well as Golden Globe, Critics’ Choice Award, and Television Critics Association nominations. He most recently earned a third Emmy nomination for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for this role. He was also the recipient of the Dorian Award for TV Performance of the Year from GALECA: The Society of LGBTQ Entertainment Critics, as well as nominated for a Black Reel Award for Outstanding Actor.

Previously, Porter starred in the eighth season of Ryan Murphy’s acclaimed series “American Horror Story: Apocalypse” as ‘Behold Chablis’, HBO Max’s “That Damn Michael Che,” the second season of CBS All Access’ “The Twilight Zone,” and narrating HBO Max’s four-part docu-series “Equal”. Upcoming, Porter will be heard in Disney+’s animated series, “The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder,” which will launch on February 23rd, 2022.

Porter was recently seen in the Paramount Players comedy Like a Boss, starring Tiffany Haddish, Rose Byrne and Salma Hayek. The film, directed by Miguel Arteta, released in January 2020, and follows two female friends who build a successful company, and find their relationship tested following a buyout offer.

On screen, Porter also recently appeared in Baz Luhrman’s “The Get Down,” starring Justice Smith, Shameik Moore and Herizen Guardiola. His other television credits include “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,” “The Big C,” “Law & Order,” “Shake, Rattle and Roll: An American Love Story” and “Another World.” Recently, he starred in Amazon Prime’s “Cinderella” re-make as the Fab G, alongside Camila Cabello and Idina Menzel. Porter is currently making his film directorial debut with the high school coming-of-age film “What If?”, written by Alvaro García Lecuona. He is also set to direct a queer teen comedy from Gabrielle Union’s I’ll Have Another Productions, titled “To Be Real,” as well as direct the feature adaptation of “Camp” for HBO Max and Warner Bros.

Under the direction of Barry Levinson, Porter starred in The Humbling, alongside Al Pacino and Greta Gerwig. His other film credits include Noel, The Broken Hearts Club: A Romantic Comedy, Intern, Anastasia and Twisted.

A veteran of the theatre, Porter most previously reprised his role as ‘Lola’ in the smash hit Broadway musical Kinky Boots, for which he won the 2013 Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle, and Tony Awards for Best Actor in a Musical, as well as a Grammy Award for Best Musical Theatre Album. Other Broadway acting credits include the Tony nominated Broadway musical, Shuffle Along, directed by George C. Wolfe. Miss Saigon, Five Guys Named Moe, Grease, Smokey Joe’s Café and Dreamgirls (20th Anniversary Broadway Concert and LA Ovation Award).

Off Broadway and regional credits include Angels in America (Signature Theater), Romance In Hard Times, The Merchant of Venice, House of Lear and Radiant Baby (The New York Shakespeare Festival), Birdie Blue (Second Stage), Angels in America (Actors Theatre Of Louisville), Going Native (The Long Wharf), Jelly’s Last Jam (Alliance), Topdog/Underdog (City Theatre), King Lear (Exit, Pursued By A Bear), Jason Robert Brown’s Songs For A New World (original cast), Jesus Christ Superstar, Antigone, A Chorus Line and Chicago. His one-man show, Ghetto Superstar: The Man That I Am, debuted at The Public Theater in conjunction with City Theatre of Pittsburgh and was nominated for a 2005 GLAAD Media Award. Porter was also named “Pittsburgh’s Performer of the Year 2003-2004” by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

As a recording artist, Porter most recently released his single Children under his new record deal with Island Records (UK) and Republic Records (US). He also recently released Finally Ready with The Shapeshifters in June 2020, as well as For What It’s Worth in April 2020 to motivate potential voters. In June 2019, he released his single Love Yourself, in support of Pride Month and the 50th Anniversary of Stonewall. His most recent album, The Soul of Richard Rodgers, was released in 2017 on Sony Masterworks. His solo albums include his first CD, Untitled, on A&M records and his sophomore album, At the Corner of Broadway + Soul – LIVE. Additionally, Billy’s Back on Broadway was released in 2014. Featuring ten classics made famous on the Great White Way that focus on inspiration, empowerment and hope, the album’s title (and cover art) is a nod to Sammy Davis, Jr.’s recording Sammy’s Back on Broadway.

Additionally, Porter’s voice can be heard on the albums A Very Rosie Christmas, Jim Brickman’s Destiny (top ten AC hit), Grease (revival cast album), Adam Guettel’s Myths & Hymns, Gershwin and Sondheim Benefit Albums, Hercules (Disney) and Anastasia (Warner Bros.), Liz Callaway – The Story Goes On, Alvin Ailey/Revelations, Broadway Cares Home For The Holidays, Dreamgirls in Concert, HAIR (Actor’s Fund Benefit recording), Great Joy: A Gospel Christmas (with The Broadway Inspirational Voices) and Love Rocks.

His original song Time has been featured twice on the mega-hit television series “So You Think You Can Dance” as well as the 2011 Miss America Pageant. Porter’s concerts credits include opening act for Rosie O’Donnell and Aretha Franklin, Carnegie Hall, John McDaniel and the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, as well as The Buffalo Philharmonic, Peter Nero and The Philly Pops, soloist for President Bill Clinton and various benefits throughout the U.S.

As a director, Porter’s work includes the The Purists, as well as revivals of George C. Wolf’s plays, The Colored Museum and Top Dog/Underdog at the prestigious Huntington Theater. In addition, Porter has also directed a critically acclaimed recreation of The Wiz and conceived a musical revue entitled Signed, Sealed, Delivered: The Music of Stevie Wonder, which starred Chaka Khan and ran at The Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas in the spring of 2002.

Furthermore, Porter conceived and directed Being Alive, which made its world premiere in the summer of 2007 at The Westport Country Playhouse and immediately transferred to The Philadelphia Theatre Company, inaugurating their new Suzanne Roberts Theatre.

His additional directing credits include Twilight In Manchego, Once On This Island (NAACP Theatre Award Winner), The Soul of Richard Rodgers, Five Guys Named Moe, Altar Boyz, RENT (Associate Director: Off-Broadway Revival) and Wicked Summer Nights Concert Series. Porter made his London directorial debut in the fall of 2009 with Olivier Award Nominee Patina Miller at Live in the Delfont Room. Primary Stages presented the highly successful World Premiere of While I Yet Live, which he wrote, that played at the off Broadway Duke Theater.

Porter released his first literary project, “Unprotected,” in October 2021, which was published by Abrams Press. The memoir is described as ‘a powerful and revealing autobiography about race, sexuality, art, and healing.’

Porter is also a graduate of The Professional Program in Screenwriting at UCLA and is an adjunct professor at his alma mater Carnegie Mellon University’s School Of Drama, where he has directed productions of Company and Letters From ‘Nam. Additionally, Porter has received an honorary doctorate from Washington & Jefferson College.

Porter was recently inducted into the Hollywood Walk of Fame class of 2020. He will receive a star for the category of Live Theatre/Live Performance. In addition, in 2017, Porter was the recipient of the GLAAD Vito Russo Award, an award presented to an openly LGBT media professional who has made a significant difference in promoting equality for the LGBT community.

(photo credit: Shavonne Wong – www.shavonnewong.com)

Brian Gott is a Los Angeles-based producer, entrepreneur and philanthropist. Brian spent 12 years at the entertainment industry’s global media outlet Variety, serving as the organization’s Publisher since 2009. In his time there, he conceived of and launched that brand’s philanthropic efforts, which in a 4-year span generated more than $6M in charitable contributions, benefitting more than 50 non-profit organizations.

Gott received the United Nations Foundation’s highest honor, the Global Leadership Award, for his role in mobilizing the entertainment industry to use its collective resources to support UN and UN Foundation-related campaigns.

Brian leads the Burkle Global Impact Initiative at UCLA’s Burkle Center for International Relations. That program’s purpose is to work with the entertainment industry to engage more deeply with global social, humanitarian, and advocacy issues. The program provides access to information, resources, funding partners and experts so that storytellers are better equipped to tell more fact-based stories, and educate their audiences on real-world issues. The program has hosted global humanitarian figures including people such as Nobel Peace Prize recipient Malala and US Ambassador to the United Nations Samantha Power, Oscar winners John Legend and Charlize Theron, philanthropists Melinda Gates and Ted Turner and entertainers Lady Gaga and Jennifer Lopez.

Gott is one of the founding members of the United Nations Foundation’s Global Entrepreneurs Council, a select group of individuals from various industries, convened by the UN Foundation to advise the United Nations and UN Foundation on how to accelerate their philanthropic efforts, and further the mission of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.

Gott has produced several celebrity-driven PSAs for organizations, including those for the U.S. Government’s “Let Girls Learn” campaign, as well as the United Nation’s climate initiative efforts. In recognition of his contributions to “Let Girls Learn”, he was invited to the White House to participate in the announcement by the President and First Lady of the Administration’s $250M funding of that effort. That initiative, spearheaded by Mrs. Obama, and implemented by USAID and the Peace Corps, provides access to education for girls globally.

State Representative Brian K. Sims is a distinguished policy attorney and civil rights advocate from Center City Philadelphia. The former staff counsel for policy and planning at the Philadelphia Bar Association, he recently stepped down as both the president of the board of directors of Equality Pennsylvania and as chairman of Gay and Lesbian Lawyers of Philadelphia (GALLOP). He also has extensive experience as a guest lecturer.

During his time at the Bar Association, Sims worked with attorneys, legislators and community organizations on issues ranging from gender and pay inequity to environmental regulation. A member of the national campaign board of the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund until August 2011, Sims lectures regularly about the policy and legal challenges facing the LGBT civil rights movement and is a regular lecturer at the Center for Progressive Leadership. He is the first out LGBT member of the Pennsylvania General Assembly.

He earned a bachelor of science degree from Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania and a juris doctor degree in international and comparative law from the Michigan State University College of Law.

Photographer and filmmaker Bruce Weber first rose to international prominence in the early eighties on the success of images that combined classical styling with more visceral underpinnings of desire, mood, and sexuality. His ability to construct a seamless sense of romance and drama created the central public images for fashion houses like Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein, Versace, and Abercrombie and Fitch, as well as earning him an enduring presence as a contributor to magazines at the very highest levels in the industry.

Throughout his career, Weber continues to work in various forms–he has directed seven short and feature length films, published more than 37 books, and has held more than 60 exhibitions worldwide–extending his lifelong exploration of the nature of human relationships.

Catherine Opie was born in Sandusky, Ohio and received her MFA from CalArts in 1988. Opie’s work has been exhibited extensively throughout the United States, Europe, and Japan. In 2008, a mid-career survey of her work, entitled, “Catherine Opie: American Photographer,” was on view at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York. Recent solo exhibitions have been organized by the Wexner Center for the Arts in Columbus, OH, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, the Aldrich Museum in Ridgefield, CT, the Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago, the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis, The Saint Louis Art Museum, the Photographers’ Gallery in London, The Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles, the Institute of Contemporary Art, Boston, and the Long Beach Museum of Art. Opie was a recipient of the Julius Shulman Excellence in Photography Award in 2013 and a United States Artists Fellowship in 2006. She has also worked on an installation for the Los Angeles Federal Courthouse, which debuted in 2016. Her book of photographs of Elizabeth Taylor’s house, 700 Nimes Road, was published by Prestel fall of 2015. Opie lives and works in Los Angeles and is a Professor of Photography at UCLA.

Los Angeles native Chandi Moore is a nationally recognized HIV and Trans activist. She currently works for Children’s Hospital Los Angeles Center for Trans Youth and Development. Chandi has extensive knowledge and experience working with Trans and gender non-conforming youth. In her current role, she leads a nationally recognized and evidenced based trans youth specific project called BLUSH (Brave Leaders Unified to Strengthen our Health). Chandi is a commanding public speaker and facilitator with years of HIV testing/counseling experience. She is also known for managing and supporting special events and creatively collaborating within the local and national HIV community as well as being an advocate and spokeswoman for the Trans-community and LGB communities. She also served as a previous Co-Chair for the TSPN (Transgender Service Providers Network). She was recently named as one of Advocate Magazine’s 25 Trans pioneers who took us past the tipping point in 2015. Also in 2015, she joined forces with the Center for Disease Control’s Act against AIDS initiative campaign “Doing It” which encourages the community to get tested for HIV and knowing their status. She was also a 2015 Positive Images Statement Of Courage Award Recipient. Chandi can also be seen alongside American television personality and retired Olympic gold medal-winning decathlete Caitlyn Jenner on the GLAAD Media Award winning “I Am Cait.” Chandi Moore is someone who loves to empower others to reach the light that is at the end of the tunnel.

A native of Ireland, Colin Farrell continues to turn heads in Hollywood. In 2009 Farrell won a Golden Globe for his role in “In Bruges” and was reteamed with director Martin McDonough for the CBS film “Seven Psychopaths.” The film centered on a screenwriter who gets drawn into the dognapping escapades of his friends.

He starred in the second season of the HBO drama “True Detective” opposite Rachel McAdams and Vince Vaughn. Nic Pizzolatto who created the series also wrote the second season. In Spring 2016, Farrell starred in the Alchemy film “The Lobster” opposite Rachel Weisz about a dystopian future where single people are arrested and transferred to a creepy hotel. There they are obliged to find a matching mate in 45 days. If they fail, they are transformed into an animal and released into the woods. The film won the Jury Prize at the 68th Cannes Film Festival in Spring 2016.

Farrell also played Percival Graves in the Harry Potter prequel “Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them” for Warner Brothers released in November 2016.

Daniel Franzese is an actor and singer, currently starring in the upcoming Fall series for ABC Family, “Recovery Road,” written by his frequent collaborators Bert V Royal (EASY A) and Karen DiConcetto (Ruby & The Rockits). Franzese recently starred in HBO’s critically acclaimed series “Looking.” Franzese’s character ‘Eddie’ was the only HIV+ character that has been on scripted television in the last two years. His performance has been praised for leading the way to erase stigmas of HIV/AIDS through a performance of a counselor in a homeless shelter for gay and trans teens.

The 10th anniversary of Tina Fey’s cult classic comedy “Mean Girls” in which Franzese played the character ‘Damian’ has captured much attention, once again bringing Daniel into the spotlight. Nothing would compare to Daniel’s heartfelt viral coming out letter inked by Franzese in statement form to his famous “Mean Girls” character. In the letter, he thanked his fans for their reactions to his character and his motivation to be honest with the world.

Deondre is currently a senior at Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas, obtaining his bachelors of Business Administration with a major in Human Resource management. On April 21, 2014 at the age of nineteen, he was diagnosed with HIV on his college campus. After his diagnosis, he decided that he would dedicate most of his time to help his community and peers to get the necessary education on HIV and prevention.

Deondre became an official Greater Than AIDS ambassador after joining their SpeakOut Campaign in 2015. Since then, he has used this platform to do outreach not only in his community and across the state of Texas, but as well as across the nation. Due to his hard work The Kaiser Family Foundation and Greater Than AIDS recently selected him out of the seventy ambassadors across the nation to become a part of the SpeakOut advisory committee.

In July of 2015 and 2016, Deondre was selected to become a part of the National Minority AIDS Council’s Youth initiative as a Youth Leader. Youth leaders play a key role in the United States Conference on AIDS, and Deondre helped lead their 60 second challenge campaign, which promotes the 60 second rapid HIV test.

In 2016, Deondre became an official spokesperson for Janssen Pharmaceuticals, by way of their “Positively Fearless” Campaign. Which is a campaign, which celebrates and promotes Black & Latino Gay & bi-sexual men, living their lives out and proud of who they are, even when faced with being HIV positive.

Due to his hard work in the community, Deondre had the privilege of spending the 2016 summer in Washington D.C. as an intern for the Human Rights Campaign. He has led seminars on HIV/AIDS education and prevention on various university campuses. He continues to provide support to HIV-positive people, helping them to get the care they need.

Elizabeth Carson, daughter of Maria Burton and Steve Carson, was born and raised in New York City. Elizabeth, who was named after her grandmother, Elizabeth Taylor, graduated magna cum laude from New York University in 2004 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Applied Psychology. Shortly after that, Elizabeth began working for the Administration for Children’s Services and celebrated her ten-year anniversary with the agency in February of 2016.

Apart from working full time for the Department of Child Protection, Elizabeth became an Ambassador for The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation (ETAF) in 2014, where she continues to commit her time to carrying out her grandmother’s legacy and motivation to seeing an end to AIDS. Elizabeth has represented ETAF at various events hosted by ACRIA, amfAR, and GAIA. She also attended AIDS Watch 2015 in Washington D.C. and made congressional visits to her representatives along with other members of the family.

Finn McMurray is currently a high school senior living in Portland, Oregon. In 2016, Finn joined the ETAF delegation at AIDSWatch in Washington, D.C. to urge U.S. Legislators to pass the Real Education for Healthy Youth Act (REHYA), and mandate comprehensive sexual health education in schools nationwide. The following summer, Finn interned at ETAF, planning and attending advocacy events such as the National HIV Testing Day Event at the Abbey as well as The International AIDS Conference in Durban, South Africa. Drawing from his Great-grandmother’s dedication and passion to seeing an end to the AIDS pandemic, Finn is committed to follow in her footsteps and continue to work as an advocate.

Firooz Zahedi was born in Tehran, Iran, in 1949 and attended secondary school in England before moving to the United States in 1969 to study at Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service. After a short career as a diplomat in Washington D.C., he went on to attend the Corcoran School of Art and graduated with a degree in Visual Communications. He became a photographer for Andy Warhol’s INTERVIEW magazine and moved to Los Angeles with his friend Elizabeth Taylor, as her personal photographer on a film set. In 1990, he signed a contract with Vanity Fair magazine. His editorial work has appeared internationally on the covers of such magazines as Vogue, GQ, Town & Country, Glamour, InStyle, TIME, Architectural Digest and Entertainment Weekly. His portraits, fine art photography and collages have been shown in prominent galleries in New York, Los Angeles, Basel, London, and Dubai. His photographs of Elizabeth Taylor in Iran from 1976 were the subjects of an exhibition at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art in 2011. Glitterati Incorporated has also published his Elizabeth Taylor book of photographs and stories on Ms. Taylor’s birthday in February 2016.

Ingrained in the hair and beauty industries for more than three decades world renowned, French born hairstylist and entrepreneur, José Eber, has continued to be a leading authority and influencer in his field. With a trademark beauty philosophy which has led to thousands of extraordinary transformations for men and women all over the globe and some of history’s most famous hairstyles, José Eber’s unwavering vision and longstanding commitment to “making every client feel beautiful and comfortable within” is just one of the qualities that has led to his long term success.

José Eber remains at the top of the hair industry while redefining the salon experience. His Beverly Hills Flagship Salon located at 360 North Camden Drive continues José’s vision of the urban day retreat, where guests have an array of exceptional beauty services including a skin care institute, premium make-up services, a nail salon, a hair extension suite, a private salon suite, a café, and more. “I wanted to create the ultimate beauty experience for men and women.” José Eber has established a collection of hair care products and tools, and expanded to multiple luxury salon experiences in landmark resorts and other key locations around the world.

Kate Burton is best known for her Emmy-nominated roles on ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy as Ellis Grey and Scandal as Sally Langston both created by Shonda Rhimes. She has also appeared in Halle Berry’s Extant, Veep, Grimm, The Good Wife, Law and Order and most recently as Hillary Clinton and her anger translator on Key and Peele. On Broadway, she has been nominated for three Tony awards and has appeared in 15 Broadway shows. Kate acted in Cymbeline in NYC’s Public Theater/Shakespeare in the Park. She is labor union advocate for both Actor’s Equity and SAG/AFTRA and a trustee at Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. A graduate of Brown University and The Yale School of Drama, she lives in Los Angeles with her husband, Michael Ritchie (Artistic Director of The Center Theater Group) and their daughter, Charlotte.

Kelly Gluckman was born and raised in the San Fernando Valley. Since becoming HIV positive in 2010, she has become passionate about sexual health education for high school and college students and creating social change through telling her story and being public about her HIV status. She excitedly joined forces with the Sex Squad at UCLA during the Fall 2015 quarter and represents The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation in her activist endeavors.

Laela Wilding lives in Portland, Oregon with her family, where she works as a graphic designer. In addition to her involvement with ETAF, she serves on the board of directors at Our House of Portland, which provides health care, housing, and other vital services to low-income HIV+ people. Laela also organizes and speaks at events on behalf of ETAF, bringing people together in grassroots fundraising, encouraging love and acceptance for all of those affected by HIV.

Lowell Wilding lives in Los Angeles. He is currently working on the creation of an Elizabeth Taylor Archive for the Elizabeth Taylor Trust.

Until 1985 when my US Visa was revoked after a false positive HIV test at the American Embassy in London and I was unable to visit my children in Los Angeles, I knew little about Aids apart from the fact that it was a death sentence. Thankfully, I was one of the lucky ones; my diagnosis was a mistake, a False Positive! During the 10-day period while waiting for the result I decided that whatever it was I would give up my profession as a decorator and devote my time to this new disease.

When my Visa was returned, I immediately left for New York to meet with Dr. Mathilde Krim, who I discovered had created amfAR with Elizabeth Taylor. Dr. Krim’s husband and mine, both in the film industry knew each other well. Mathilde gave me her time and told me everything I needed to know about the AIDS epidemic at that time. She spoke glowingly of Elizabeth Taylor, of her courage and absolute dedication to this unpopular cause; she was so much more, I discovered than the Elizabeth Taylor, “movie star” that I read about.

I had the privilege to meet her a few times when she came to London to support The Aids Crisis Trust, the first UK AIDS Charity, created by her friend, and mine Marguerite Littman. I joined Marguerite a few weeks after she started the charity, and we worked together until the tragic death of Princess Diana, who had been one of our main supporters. In 1986, Elizabeth generously agreed to be our Patron. Her name of course was invaluable to our fundraising efforts.

When Elizabeth arrived, London came to a standstill, streets were closed, cheering crowds lined the pavements, patients at The Midlmay Mission, the first AIDS Hospice in the UK, were determined to stay alive long enough to meet her.

Unknowingly, she extended many lives. She used her magical presence to spread the word, to tell the world of the Aids Virus; every newspaper covered her visits and reported her every word, her demand for help. No longer a movie star, an Aids Activist. She was determined that HIV/AIDS and those touched by it should not be disgraced and ignored.

I am proud and honored to have been asked to be an Ambassador for The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation, in the sincere hope that Elizabeth’s dream of taking care of all those in need and finally finding a cure, will come to fruition. To that end I will do everything that I can.

Lyn Rothman is the founder of The Parkinson’s Appeal for DBS (Deep Brain Stimulation) and Contributing Editor for Art Review. She is also a Board Member of the Elton John AIDS Foundation.

Naomi deLuce Wilding was born and raised in Wales, and moved to Los Angeles in 2000. In 2014, she and her husband, Anthony Cran, opened Wilding Cran Gallery, a platform where art and social purpose meet through exhibition, education and philanthropy.

That same belief in art as a vehicle for change now shapes her work as Grants Manager at Heart of Los Angeles, a nonprofit serving young people and families across some of Central LA's most underserved communities. There, she helps secure the resources that sustain programs in the arts, academics, and music — work she sees as a direct continuation of the values her grandmother modeled.

Naomi is extremely proud to continue her grandmother's work in whatever way she can as an ambassador for The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation.

Grandson of international actors Omar Sharif and Faten Hamama, Omar Jr. was a well-known Arabic actor, model and spokesperson working in Egypt from a young age. In 2011, at the start of the Arab Spring, he was invited by The Academy of Motion Pictures to present the Oscar for ‘Best Supporting Actress’, during which he performed a memorable comedic sketch with screen legend Kirk Douglas.

Shortly after the Muslim Brotherhood was elected to parliament in Egypt, Omar published an open letter in The Advocate, in which he came out as gay and half-Jewish and questioned the new Egyptian government’s commitment to basic human rights and diversity. He is the first public personality to ever come out as openly gay in the Arab World. He immediately faced a barrage of condemnation, criticism and threats of violence, and even death.

Omar has since served as National Spokesperson for GLAAD; an organization which serves to promote LGBT equality by ensuring positive media portrayals of the gay, lesbian, bisexual and trans community. In addition, he currently serves as Ambassador for the Human Rights Foundation and travels extensively promoting freedom. Troubled by the silence and stigma surrounding issues related to HIV/AIDS accross the Middle East and North Africa, Omar is delighted to be able to use his platform to build on Elizabeth Taylor’s unparalleled legacy of activism in the field.

In 2015, Omar was hired by six-time Oscar nominated director Jim Sheridan to act opposite Eric Bana and Rooney Mara in The Secret Scripture. In 2016, they collaborated again on 11th Hour, with Salma Hayek, in an artistic response to the global politics of division. The film was selected by the Tribeca Film Festival in 2017.

Omar is fluent in English, French, Spanish, Arabic, Hebrew and Yiddish.

Paris Jackson is an actress, model & activist. Once Jackson began to materialize her creative passions into career ambitions, she quickly grabbed the attention of editors from some of the world’s most prestigious publications. In 2017, Jackson graced the cover of Rolling Stone, Harper’s Bazaar, Vogue Australia, Teen Vogue, CR Fashion Book, and i-D magazines, collaborating with top photographers such as Patrick Demarchelier, Willy Vanderperre, David LaChapelle, Mario Sorrenti, Jean-Paul Goude, Jean-Baptiste Mondino, Hedi Slimane, among others. Shortly after Jackson broke onto the scene, she signed with top model agency IMG and landed her very first campaign with iconic American fashion house Calvin Klein.

Through Jackson’s work with esteemed fashion editor Carine Roitfeld (Founder/Editor-in-Chief of CR Fashion Book, formerly of Vogue Paris), she was introduced to Award-winning director/producer Lee Daniels (Precious, The Butler), who, at the time, was working on the final episodes for the first season of his musical-drama series “STAR” (FOX). Daniels became so enamored by Jackson’s unique beauty, voice and charm, that he wrote a guest appearance into the series for Jackson, who reprised her role for a short arc in Season 2. Jackson’s following acting project saw her work with Charlize Theron, Amanda Seyfried, Joel Edgerton & David Oyelowo in the feature film GRINGO (Amazon Studios & STX), which premiered March 9th, 2018.

Jackson’s mission is to continue to pursue her passions and build a platform where she can shine light on the causes important to her as an activist, exemplified many times this year, notably going off script while presenting at the 2017 Grammy Awards and MTV VMAs, to highlight the Dakota Access Pipeline and events of racial injustice in Charlottesville, respectably. Jackson recently came on board as an Ambassador for the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation (ETAF) and is passionate about continuing her godmother’s legacy of ridding the stigma and finding a cure for the HIV/AIDS pandemic.

Grandson of Elizabeth Taylor, Quinn has been serving as a co-trustee of his grandmother’s estate since 2016. In that position, he also serves as an officer of The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation and represents ETAF across various national and international forums and outlets as an ambassador. Quinn has an MBA from Yale, an MFA from SVA, and a background in film and television production. This interdisciplinary experience helps Quinn bring a unique perspective to his work.

Rhys Tivey is a trumpeter, vocalist, and songwriter. After growing up in rural upstate NY, he moved to New York City to receive a Bachelors of Music in Jazz Performance at NYU Steinhardt and perform at various venues in NYC. Rhys has taught both music and yoga at public middle schools in Brooklyn, Manhattan, and the Bronx through after-school education nonprofits including MIMA Music and East Side House Settlement.

Tarquin Wilding is an aspiring filmmaker who loves dogs and motorcycles.

Vanessa Williams is one of the most respected and multi-faceted performers in the entertainment industry today. Having sold millions of records worldwide, Vanessa has also achieved numerous #1 and Top 10 hits on various Billboard Album and Singles charts: Pop, Dance, R&B, Adult Contemporary, Holiday, Latin, Gospel and Jazz.

Her critically acclaimed work in film, television, recordings and the Broadway stage has been recognized by every major industry award affiliate including 4 Emmy nominations, 11 Grammy nominations, a Tony nomination, 3 SAG award nominations, 7 NAACP Image Awards and 3 Satellite Awards. Her platinum single “Colors of the Wind,” from the Disney’s Pocahontas, won the Oscar, Grammy and Golden Globe for Best Original Song.

A graduate of Syracuse University, Vanessa is a strong advocate for equal rights, especially concerning the gay community and minorities. She was honored with the Human Rights Campaign “Ally for Equality” Award for her humanitarian contributions. Vanessa also achieved a career pinnacle with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2007.

Vanessa’s autobiography, “You Have No Idea,” co-written with her mother Helen Williams, was a New York Times Best Seller in 2012. Her recent Broadway credits include co-starring with Cicely Tyson in The Trip to Bountiful, (the #1 play of the 2013 season), After Midnight (2014), and a special limited engagement in Hey, Look Me Over at New York City Center in 2018. Vanessa is currently in Josie Rourke’s City of Angels in London’s West End.

Vanessa is the mother of four – Melanie, Jillian, Devin and Sasha. Her charitable endeavors are many and varied, embracing and supporting such organizations as Concerts for America, Special Olympics and several others. Vanessa is involved with and committed to the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation.

Vanessa is one of the world’s most accomplished concert artists, appearing regularly with the most prestigious symphony orchestras in the world, most recently with the National Symphony Orchestra at The Kennedy Center.

Vanessa is exclusively managed by
Sterling Winters Company (SWC) / kathy ireland®​ Worldwide.

Victoria Brynner is a phenomenon: she speaks four languages; grew up in Switzerland and Paris, where her mother was a fixture at the couture shows and an ambassador for Valentino; her Russian-born father was the late Academy Award winner Yul Brynner; her godmothers were Audrey Hepburn and Elizabeth Taylor; she’s founder and president of Stardust Brands a Los Angeles-based brand consulting company that also brokers deals between luxury brands and the celebrities who appear in their advertising campaigns. She’s the ultimate Hollywood insider and a savvy business woman too. She’s worked with the best, on the best, to make unforgettable images. Brynner has worked with virtually every big-name fashion photographer. Through her company she’s helped luxury brands sign A-list actors to represent them.

In 2002, Whoopi Goldberg became one of a very elite group of artists who have won the Grammy (“Whoopi Goldberg,” 1985), the Academy Award (“Ghost,” 1991), the Golden Globe (“The Color Purple,” 1985 and “Ghost,” 1991), the Emmy (as host of AMC’s “Beyond Tara: The Extraordinary Life of Hattie McDaniel,” 2002 and a Daytime Emmy for “The View” in 2009) and a Tony (Producer of “Thoroughly Modern Millie,” 2002). She produced and made her directorial debut with the documentary, “Whoopi Goldberg Presents Moms Mabley,” which premiered at the 2013 Tribeca Film Festival and premiered on HBO in November 2013. Whoopi has appeared in many films, on TV and graced the Broadway stage. She made her debut as an author in 1992 and has since published four books and a children’s book series. She is equally well-known for her humanitarian efforts on behalf of children, the homeless, human rights, education, substance abuse and the battle against AIDS, as well as many other causes and charities. Among her many charitable activities, Whoopi is a Goodwill Ambassador to the United Nations.

Zac Posen launched his eponymous collection in 2001, with a vision for modern American glamour that married couture technique with striking innovation. Raised in New York, Zac began his design training early. He attended London’s Central Saint Martins University in the womenswear degree program. In 2004, he was awarded one of fashion’s most prestigious honors, Swarovski’s The Perry Ellis Award for Women’s wear by the CFDA. In 2015, he was also awarded Designer of the Year by Women’s Wear Daily and Variety Magazine.

Today, Zac is known globally for his technique in artisanal craftsmanship, anatomical construction and textile manipulation. His daywear, suiting and red carpet eveningwear are infused with his bold sophistication, sexy femininity and distinctive glamour.

In Fall 2014, Zac was announced as Creative Director for the Brooks Brothers signature women’s collection and accessories. The collections are available worldwide.

Worn by leading women, including Uma Thurman, First Lady Michelle Obama, Gwyneth Paltrow, Naomi Watts, Claire Danes and Rihanna, he has become a staple on the red carpet. His collections have grown to include Zac Posen, ZAC Zac Posen, and Truly Zac Posen with offerings in handbags, accessories, bridal, eyewear, footwear, and fine jewelry.

Zac also served as a judge with Heidi Klum and Nina Garcia on Lifetime’s mainstay Project Runway from 2012 to 2018.

He has also partnered with Delta Air Lines to re-design the iconic uniforms. His designs were unveiled in October 2016 and were officially launched in May 2018.

Philanthropy is an integral part of the his brand. Along with consistent support of St. Jude’s, the LGBTQIA community, and City Harvest, amongst others.

The documentary, House of Z, chronicling Zac’s career, premiered at the TriBeCa film Festival in April 2017, and is currently available for rent on Vogue.com. Zac’s latest project, a cookbook entitled Cooking with Zac, is currently available worldwide and can be purchased on Amazon or at Barnes & Noble.