ETAF Team - The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation

ETAF Officers

The Trustees of Elizabeth’s estate serve as the Officers of ETAF. This team, handpicked by Elizabeth, establishes and leads the organization’s strategic vision.

Barbara Berkowitz

Officer

She was never narrow minded, never archaic, always forward thinking, always the first of her kind to do things, and so, if it was needed, and it wasn’t popular, that’s where you would see Elizabeth Taylor. Always.

Barbara began working closely with Elizabeth as her lawyer in 1989. Eight years later, with Elizabeth’s support and encouragement, Barbara established her own law practice, Berkowitz & Associates and Elizabeth was her first client. Barbara remained counsel to Elizabeth for the rest of her life and, at Elizabeth’s request, became Co-Trustee to her estate. Barbara has provided legal services to ETAF since its inception in 1991 and currently serves as an Officer.

Quinn Tivey

Officer

She galvanized others. She was hands-on, and she was passionate about it.

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.

Tim Mendelson

Officer

From the beginning, Elizabeth understood that stigma and discrimination are the critical barriers holding us back from achieving an end to AIDS.

Tim worked as Elizabeth’s executive assistant for more than 20 years and currently serves as Co-Trustee of her estate, per her request. He personally witnessed Elizabeth’s passionate drive to help people affected by HIV/AIDS with an immediacy that she felt was crucial for this fight. Today, Tim remains dedicated to keeping Elizabeth’s voice and spirit pre-eminent in HIV/AIDS activism, for the purpose of ensuring it is at the forefront of current actions concerning this global pandemic.

ETAF Staff

Catherine Brown

Executive Director

As the Executive Director of ETAF, Catherine sets the organization’s strategic direction in partnership with the ETAF Officers. Prior to this role, she served on ETAF’s Advisory Board for many years and had the privilege to work with Elizabeth on two major fundraising events benefiting people with HIV and AIDS.

Catherine has more than thirty-five years’ experience in the non-profit sector. Most recently, she was Vice President, West Coast, at Vetted Solutions, a non-profit executive search and leadership consulting firm. For three years, she served as President of the John Wayne Cancer Foundation in Newport Beach, CA. As Vice President, Pacific West Region, of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society from 2011-2015,Catherine led the effort to generate more than $40 million for the organization.

Catherine received a B.S. in Nursing from Hunter College of The City University of New York and her M.S. in Nursing from the University of Pennsylvania, where she also minored in Health Care Management at the Wharton School of Business. She is a Certified Association Executive and a Fellow in the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE).

Jake Arman

Director of Programs

As the Program Manager of The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation (ETAF), Jake ensures that the organization’s programmatic efforts in advocacy and grantmaking are implemented and aligned with the foundation’s mission and strategic plan.

Jake received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English from Whittier College with an emphasis in Creative Writing & Journalism and a minor in French. His commitment to HIV/AIDS and LGBTQ+ advocacy began in college through volunteering on the AIDS/Lifecycle ride and outreach for queer older adults in the Los Angeles area. He also interned at ETAF in 2018 before transitioning to staff.

One of Jake’s proudest accomplishments in his program work at ETAF is the launch of the foundation’s primary advocacy initiative – HIV Is Not A Crime – a national initiative focused on the modernization of criminal laws and penalties for people living with HIV in the United States. He is also continuing his studies part-time and hopes to become involved in international outreach and research.

Joan Hicks

Program Manager

Joan received her Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Oregon, majoring in Psychology with a minor in Global Health. Her undergraduate career allowed her to explore a passion for being an advocate for underrepresented populations through interdisciplinary research and volunteer opportunities. Furthering her commitment to global health issues by joining the ETAF staff, she hopes to make a meaningful impact supporting those living with HIV and AIDS.

Elizabeth Woods

Senior Fundraising Manager

Elizabeth has BA in Political Science and a minor in Spanish from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Through her studies and internship in college she gained a passion for working towards a future in which everyone has access to quality healthcare, housing, food, and education. She most recently worked in fundraising at Inner City Law Center, nonprofit dedicated to ending homelessness. Elizabeth is excited to join ETAF to help raise more funds that will provide advocacy and care for people living with HIV/AIDS.