February 15, 2023 (Atlantic City) – The Board of Directors for South Jersey AIDS Alliance (SJAA) has announced Carol Harney, CEO, will retire effective March 10, 2023.

“Carol has selflessly served SJAA for more than 25 years, including nearly 10 years as its CEO,” said Debra Fox, chair, SJAA. “In the trenches since the early days of the AIDS epidemic, Carol has seen the disease evolve from one that was once not survivable to an era in which advances in prevention, care, and treatment can lead to long, healthy lives for people who are living with, or at risk for, HIV and AIDS.. Carol’s compassion for the most vulnerable victims of this disease, her spirit of collaboration with community partners, and her exceptional reputation as a trusted leader at the state level enabled SJAA to effectively care for thousands of people,” said Fox.

The Board has named Georgett Watson to succeed Harney as the CEO effective February 2023. Watson has worked at the SJAA for more than 30 years, the last nine of which she has served as executive vice president and chief operating officer. Her leadership accomplishments have included developing and implementing the first legal Syringe Access Program in New Jersey (2007) and the first community-based Overdose Prevention and Naloxone Distribution Program in the state (2013). “Georgett has long been dedicated to advocating for those living with HIV/AIDS, fostering community relationships, and creating meaningful solutions to save and enhance lives,” said Fox, Under her leadership in this new role, SJAA will continue to enhance how it provides the highest quality care and support to those living with HIV/AIDS, and their families and caregivers,” said Fox.

The South Jersey AIDS Alliance is a caring and compassionate organization dedicated to the fight against HIV/AIDS and was founded in Atlantic City in 1985. SJAA provides community services in eight locations throughout Atlantic, Cumberland, Cape May and Camden counties and stands as one of New Jersey’s leaders in the fight against HIV/AIDS. For more information, visit sjaids.org.