Amplify Indy 2026 Program Highlights
Connect. Learn. Lead. Amplify Your Impact.
July 20–22, 2026 | Indianapolis, Indiana
Join HIV professionals, advocates, fundraisers, clinicians, marketers, and community leaders from across North America for three days of learning, collaboration, and inspiration. Amplify Indy 2026 is designed to equip attendees with practical strategies, fresh perspectives, and meaningful connections that strengthen our collective response to HIV and related issues.
Featured Speakers
Salvatore Manzi
Executive Session Speaker
Leading Through Uncertainty: Navigating Change in Charged Environments
Today’s leaders face increasing complexity, uncertainty, and scrutiny. Join leadership communications coach Salvatore Manzi for a day-long executive session focused on building resilience, communicating with confidence, and leading effectively through change.
Monday, July 20
Rae Lewis-Thornton
Keynote Speaker
Nationally recognized advocate, speaker, and storyteller Rae Lewis-Thornton will challenge attendees to think differently about stigma, empathy, leadership, and creating truly inclusive communities.
Her powerful story and decades of advocacy continue to inspire audiences across the country.
Tuesday, July 21
Monday, July 20
Bootcamp + Executive Leadership Day
Dining Out For Life® Bootcamp
Dylan Boyer and Antoine Pollard
An immersive training designed specifically for Dining Out For Life licensees and staff looking to strengthen fundraising strategies, volunteer engagement, marketing efforts, and event operations. Led by Dylan Boyer and Antoine Pollard.
Executive Session
Leading Through Uncertainty
Salvatore Manzi
Leadership today requires adaptability, courage, and clear communication. This executive-level experience provides practical tools for navigating difficult conversations, organizational change, and politically charged environments.
Welcome Reception
Meet new colleagues, reconnect with longtime friends, and kick off Amplify Indy in an engaging and welcoming environment.
Tuesday, July 21
Morning Breakouts | 9:00–10:15 AM
Stretch Every DOFL Dollar: Marketing Strategies That Amplify Impact
Speaker: Corey Mohr
Learn how to maximize limited resources and create marketing campaigns that deliver measurable results. This session explores practical strategies for increasing visibility, engaging supporters, and strengthening fundraising efforts to ensure every Dining Out For Life® dollar works harder for your mission.
Building Bridges: A CBO’s PrEP Program Success Story
Speaker: Antoine Pollard
Discover how community-based organizations can successfully implement and grow PrEP initiatives that increase access, foster trust, and better serve priority populations. Attendees will gain insights into program development, outreach strategies, and lessons learned from real-world implementation.
When the Safety Net Gets Smaller: What Medicaid’s New Rules Mean for HIV Care, Ryan White, and ADAPs
Speakers: Connie Jorstad and Brad Plunkett
As healthcare funding and eligibility requirements continue to evolve, organizations must be prepared to adapt. This timely discussion examines the potential impact of Medicaid changes on HIV care delivery, Ryan White programs, and ADAP services, helping attendees understand emerging challenges and opportunities for advocacy.
Keynote Session | 10:30 AM–12:00 PM
Speaker: Rae Lewis-Thornton
Nationally recognized advocate, speaker, and storyteller Rae Lewis-Thornton brings decades of experience challenging stigma, uplifting communities, and advancing conversations around HIV, equity, and leadership. Her keynote promises to inspire attendees to lead with empathy, authenticity, and purpose.
Afternoon Breakout Sessions | 1:15–2:30 PM
A Volunteer Engagement Game Plan for Before, During and After DOFL
Speaker: Ceven Webb, CVA
Volunteers are often the heart of successful events. This session provides practical tools for recruiting, retaining, and recognizing volunteers while creating meaningful experiences that encourage long-term engagement and strengthen organizational capacity.
Built on Trust: A Community Engagement Model for HIV Prevention
Speakers: Robert Kellman, Maria Rosales Moreno, and DaToria Hobson-Trotter
Effective HIV prevention begins with trust. Learn how Damien Center’s Community Engagement team has developed culturally responsive outreach strategies that meet communities where they are—linguistically, socially, and geographically—to improve access and strengthen connections with highly impacted populations.
Advocacy Under Pressure: Practical Strategies for Advancing LGBTQ+ Health Equity in Challenging Political Environments
Speaker: Axel Torres Marrero
Advocacy work has become increasingly complex in today’s political climate. This session offers actionable approaches for maintaining momentum, building partnerships, and advancing LGBTQ+ health equity even when facing policy challenges and shifting landscapes.
Amplify Jeopardy! | 3:00–4:45 PM
Host: Antoine Pollard
Get ready for an interactive, game-show-inspired experience designed to test your knowledge, spark friendly competition, and celebrate the collective expertise of the Amplify community. Whether you’re a seasoned HIV professional or new to the field, this engaging session promises plenty of laughs, surprises, and opportunities to connect with colleagues in a fun and memorable way.
Wednesday, July 22, 2026
Morning Breakout Sessions | 8:30–9:45 AM
Philanthropy in Action: Activating Board Leadership Through Strategic Staff Partnership
Speakers: Matthew Easterwood and Patti Bruno
Strong fundraising cultures rely on meaningful collaboration between staff and board members. Explore strategies for engaging board leadership in philanthropy, cultivating donor relationships, and building sustainable fundraising practices that support long-term organizational growth.
Creating Judgment Free Sexual Health Services
Speaker: Andy Glorioso
Providing affirming, welcoming environments is essential to improving health outcomes. This session highlights approaches to reducing barriers, addressing stigma, and designing sexual health services that center dignity, respect, and accessibility for all communities.
If Not You, Who? Grassroots Advocacy Through Local Elections and Community Influence
Speakers: Joann McEniry and Daniella Mendez
Meaningful policy change often starts at the local level. Learn how to engage communities, mobilize supporters, and influence decision-makers through grassroots organizing, civic participation, and strategic advocacy efforts.
Storytelling Session | 9:50–11:20 AM
This Is My Story
Speakers: Benito Aranda, Shey Thorn, and C.J. Tobe
Stories have the power to educate, inspire, and transform. Join this compelling panel as speakers share personal experiences, lessons learned, and reflections on the journeys that have shaped their commitment to HIV advocacy, leadership, and community building.
Afternoon Breakout Sessions | 1:10–2:25 PM
Stop Begging, Start Selling: The No-BS Guide to Sponsorship ROI
Speaker: John D. Winnett, MMHC, MBA, 340B ACE
Move beyond transactional sponsorship asks and learn how to position partnerships as strategic investments. This session explores techniques for demonstrating value, communicating impact, and cultivating relationships that deliver meaningful returns for both sponsors and nonprofits.
#CelebrateUU: Using Storytelling and Creative Engagement to Advance U=U and Reduce HIV Stigma
Speaker: Todd Fuqua
Discover how storytelling, digital engagement, and creative campaigns can elevate U=U messaging, combat stigma, and foster hope while amplifying the voices of people living with HIV.
Ending HIV Criminalization: Advocacy Strategies for Modernizing Outdated Laws
Speakers: Phoenix Schlebecker and Carrie Foote
Outdated HIV criminalization laws continue to impact communities nationwide. This session examines current advocacy efforts, policy strategies, and opportunities to advance legislation grounded in science, equity, and human rights.
Closing Breakout Sessions | 2:45–4:00 PM
A Place at the Party: Building Safe & Sober Community at LGBTQ+ Events
Speaker: Ryan Rehak
Explore approaches to creating welcoming alcohol-free spaces that foster connection, inclusion, and belonging while supporting individuals in recovery and expanding opportunities for community engagement.
Equity Is Not a Program: Operationalizing Gender Affirming Care in a Changing Policy Landscape
Speaker: Mita Beach
Providing gender-affirming care requires more than good intentions. Attendees will learn practical strategies for embedding affirming practices into policies, programs, and organizational culture while navigating an evolving policy environment.
Operationalize gender-affirming care amid changing policy landscapes.
Ready to Amplify Your Impact?
Join colleagues from across North America for three days of education, inspiration, and connection in Indianapolis!
Thank You to Our Sponsors
We couldn’t do this without you. Your support fuels the conversations, connections, and learning experiences that make Amplify Indy 2026 possible. Thank you for helping us create a conference where relationships become results.
