SAAF

Meet Our Team

Click each profile below to learn more about our team.

Dr. Cherise Rohr-Allegrini, Ph.D., M.P.H.

CEO

Dr. Rohr-Allegrini is an infectious disease epidemiologist with more than 25 years experience in public health. She came to SAAF after serving as San Antonio Program Director for The Immunization Partnership, a Texas non-profit dedicated to preventing disease through vaccination education and policy. She earned a B.A. in Political Science from the University of California at Santa Barbara, and MPH in Infectious Disease Epidemiology from Yale University, and PhD in Tropical Diseases from the University of Notre Dame. She is a graduate of the Latina Leadership Institute and is a housing and community advocate, serving on the Mayor’s Housing Task Force, the City’s Planning Commission, and the Community Advisory Board for The Pride Center’s Strengthening the Colors of Pride. She lives with her spouse, two kids, dog and many cats in Lavaca, where she leads the neighborhood association.

Monica Lerma

Chief Administrative Officer

Monica Lerma, Senior Financial Officer, oversees all billing and bookkeeping for SAAF, as well as all financial administration and grant billing maintenance. Monica brings with her in-depth knowledge of administration and financial performance. She possesses a M.B.A. in Business Administration from Texas A&M University-Kingsville and a B.B.A. in marketing from the same institution.

Rene Gonzalez, MSN, FNP-BC.

Medical Provider Clinic Director

Khalen Garcia

Director of Communications and Development

Khalen Garcia, our new Director of Communications and Development, holds a Bachelor of Communications specializing in public relations with a minor in sociology from the University of Texas at San Antonio. In 2015, he started his career at SAAF as the Development Assistant learning how to develop our annual events including the Run & Walk for AIDS and the WEBB Party.

The San Antonio AIDS Foundation has always been an organization he has been passionate about and he wants to make a difference in the community. Khalen hopes to bring awareness to the community by promoting our services and showcasing the powerful individuals that encourage self-growth, acceptance, and resilience guiding through their sexual health.

Annie Boyce, LBSW

Director of Client Services

Annie Boyce is the Director of Client Services at the San Antonio AIDS Foundation. She directs a staff of professionals who provide medical and non-medical case management, housing services, and financial & medication assistance. Annie began her career at SAAF in 2012 as a medical case manager after earning a Bachelor's degree in Social Work from Texas State University in 2011. In 2017, she was promoted to lead case manager and in 2021 promoted to her current position as Director of Client Services. As a Licensed Baccalaureate Social Worker (LBSW), she has been a valued employee at SAAF with over 9 years of experience in social services.

When Annie is not at SAAF supporting clients and staff, she enjoys spending time with her friends and family. She has future plans to travel more and focus on self-care.

Theresa Haywood-Castile

Director of Food Services

My name is Theresa Haywood-Castile. Since becoming a part of the SAAF family in 1996 I have been lucky enough to experience the many departments and see firsthand all they do for our Texas communities. In 1999, I was an HIV test counselor and shortly after in the early 2000’s I became a Volunteer Coordinator and worked with the City of San Antonio probations program! In 2011, I took a small leave of absence when I was diagnosed with (AML) Acute Myeloid Leukemia but I returned in 2012 stronger than ever and ready to get back aiding in the fulfillment of SAAFs mission!

Being allowed growth and the ability to try out different roles is what led me to discovering that my true passions were in the kitchen! The heart and soul of SAAF – the one place that allowed for one on one, in depth, interaction with our clients. With a little hard work and determination I am now VP of Food Services. The position I am in has allowed me to build a dedicated team focused on providing the best meals & services to our clientele.

Vanessa Zuniga

Director of Community Health

Coming Soon.

Dean J. Parra

Quality Management Officer

Dean Parra joined the SAAF team in 2019. Dean oversees our Data and Quality Management department. Dean is the primary contact to our funders for most of the services we provide, including representing SAAF at funder and Administrative Agency meetings, managing and organizing annual service performance audits and responses, and providing monthly/quarterly performance data and reports. Dean is also our HIPAA security officer, policy and procedure manager and data base administrator, overseeing 3 data bases and applicable users. Originally from California, Dean has been in the HIV/AIDS services field for 7 years as a quality manager, housing coordinator and case manager. Prior to joining SAAF, Dean worked as a case manager/coordinator in the fields of chronic mental health (15 yrs), at risk youth and low-income family services.

Francisco J Ramirez MS LPC-S

Director of Mental Health Services

Francisco J Ramirez MS LPC-S is the Director of Mental Health Services. He has a bachelor's degree from Universidad Iberoamericana in Mexico City in Psychology and Communication. His Master's in Counseling Psychology is from Our Lady of The Lake University in San Antonio. He is licensed as a Professional Counselor by the State of Texas. He is an adjunct Professor of Psychology at Northwest Vista College.

He has worked people with addiction issues in a Mexican Government agency, Desarollo Intergral de la Familia (DIF). He has worked with the HIV population in San Antonio since 2003 with Mujeres Unidas Contra el SIDA and the Center for Health Care Services, with dual diagnosis population. He has been at SAAF since 2016.

His goal is to diminish the stigma for the LGBTQ community and to educate to stop the spread of HIV. Francisco works to give clients the tools to cope with life issues. He is passionate about traveling to new places and meeting new people.

Chester Smith

Director of Environmental Services

Coming Soon!