RIAA Honoree Erica Lessem, MPH

Research in Action Award

Erica Lessem joined TAG in 2011 as Assistant Director of TB/HIV. Over her ten years at the organization, Erica’s role evolved to TB Project Director to a Deputy Executive Director for all TAG’s programs, and finally to the Deputy Executive Director position, providing cross-cutting strategy and structure across the organization. From supporting community advisory boards to representing TAG at high-level meetings to spearheading TAG’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion work, Erica worked closely with TAG’s impressive staff, far-reaching partners, and dedicated Board to advance TAG’s mission. Erica will be bringing all the skills and values she developed at TAG to a new position supporting New York City’s response to COVID-19.

Previously, Erica held various research, program, and policy roles in HIV, tuberculosis, and harm reduction in New York City and Baltimore. She volunteered combatting sex trafficking in Nepal and started the Republic of Georgia’s first breast cancer peer-support program. Erica received her Master of Public Health as a Sommer Scholar at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, and her Bachelor of Arts from Georgetown University. Outside of public health, Erica has many passions including amateur mycology, cooking, and spending time outdoors.