Episode 102: Philip Yaeger
Philip Yaeger is the Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Radiant Health Centers in Orange County, a role he took on in 2008. His deep dedication to the organization, which was formerly known as AIDS Services Foundation Orange County, spans decades, originating from a personal commitment to the cause. Yaeger's journey began in 1993 as a volunteer, motivated after a family friend passed away from an AIDS-related infection, an experience that highlighted the intense stigma surrounding the disease at the time. This powerful introduction solidified his passion for making a difference in the lives of people with HIV and their loved ones.
Yaeger quickly transitioned from volunteer to an integral part of the organization's professional staff. His first paid role was as the organization's food pantry coordinator, a position funded by a grant from the Elizabeth Taylor Foundation. Over the next 15 years, he held a variety of direct and support service roles, which provided him with a 360-degree view of the organization's crucial work. This comprehensive experience involved the development of essential programs including nutrition, housing, transportation, and health education, preparing him to take on the top leadership position.
As an highly respected authority on HIV and the importance of education, prevention, and care, Yaeger has driven Radiant Health Centers to become the largest and most comprehensive HIV/AIDS organization in Orange County. Under his leadership, the organization has created a vital continuum of care, often referred to as a "one-stop shop," where people can access testing, counseling, and a full range of services in one place. He has also championed the organization's broader mission to provide compassionate and comprehensive health services to all underserved individuals, with a special focus on the LGBTQ+ community and those living with and affected by HIV. This expansion included launching Orange County's first health clinic specializing in the unique needs of LGBTQ+ patients in 2019, a move designed to address healthcare inequality and provide a stigma-free environment.
Yaeger continues to lead the organization with a focus on achieving zero new HIV transmissions in Orange County. He emphasizes the critical need to address social determinants of health, such as homelessness and food insecurity, recognizing that people cannot prioritize their medical regimen if their basic needs are unmet. Yaeger’s dedication and commitment are an invaluable asset, ensuring that Radiant Health Centers remains a beacon of hope and compassionate care for the most vulnerable populations in the Orange County community.
Episode 101: Anne Friedman
Anne Friedman serves as the Executive Director (ED) of Gay for Good (G4G), leading the nation’s foremost LGBTQ volunteer network. Her decade-long dedication to the organization is rooted in deep institutional knowledge, having begun as a chapter volunteer in 2010 before rising through the ranks to serve as a Chapter Leader and Board Member. In 2018, Friedman transitioned from the Board to become G4G’s first-ever dedicated, paid employee, marking a critical moment in the organization's professionalization. She brought a strong foundation of professional experience in the nonprofit sector, specializing in communication, marketing, and donor relations, which proved essential for managing and scaling the growing national volunteer network.
Under her executive leadership, G4G experienced rapid and quantifiable scaling. Within her first two years, Ms. Friedman oversaw a 60 percent expansion of the chapter network, growing the organization from ten to sixteen chapters, while simultaneously doubling the supporter mailing list to engage over ten thousand individuals. Today, she mobilizes LGBTQ+ and ally volunteers across more than twenty chapter cities to actively promote diversity and foster inclusion by strengthening ties to the broader community through community service. This operational success has solidified G4G’s position as a visible force for good that dispels misconceptions and enhances goodwill through collaborative action.
Ms. Friedman is currently guiding the organization through a strategic shift focused on long-term sustainability and institutional maturity, as defined by the 2025-2028 Strategic Plan. This strategy prioritizes "Excellence" by implementing a Unified Chapter Model—standardizing expectations and providing comprehensive training for chapter leaders—and investing in a robust Volunteer Management System (VMS) to enhance operational efficiency. Her strategic focus on increasing fundraising capabilities and diversifying revenue streams is aimed at supporting increased staff capacity and ensuring G4G continues to provide welcoming, affirming spaces for service for all communities nationwide.