Who We Are

WHAI is a community-based response to HIV and AIDS among cis and Trans women, Two-Spirit and Non-Binary people in Ontario.

A Note About Language

A Note About Lanugage

‘Woman’ and ‘Women’

WHAI prioritizes work with cis and Trans women, 2-Spirit and Non-Binary people who are living with HIV, and/or who are African, Caribbean Black, Indigenous, newcomers, who use drugs or substances, have experiences with violence, and/or have been/are incarcerated.

Throughout our website, the term ‘women’ is bold to remind us of the importance of prioritizing and centring communities of women who face disproportionate structural risk factors related to HIV, as well as being a reminder that gender is not binary, and the importance of thoughtfulness towards inclusivity for Trans, Two-Spirit, and Non-Binary people in WHAI work. Identities are capitalized throughout, except “cis.” This is to remind us of the privilege and space afforded cis people, and to support the amplification of identities outside gender-binary constructions.

About WHAI

WHAI’s work across Ontario is rooted in the principles of community development and collective impact.

Find HIV Services Near You
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Our network is currently made up of 17+ WHAI Coordinators.
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These coordinators are located in 16 regions throughout Ontario.

Our Goals

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Reduce HIV transmission among women.

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Enhance local community capacity to address HIV and AIDS.

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Build safer environments to support women and their HIV and AIDS-related needs.

Committed to Equity

Our organizational commitments reflect our priorities and values.

See Our Commitments

Our Dedicated Team

  • Woman with long hair, wearing a black shirt and gold earrings, smiles at the camera against a light blue background.

    Molly Bannerman (she/her)

    Provincial Director

    Molly Bannerman (she / her), has worked in the field of community development social work with a focus in harm reduction and overdose prevention, sexual health, gender equity, arts-based practice, community-based research and restorative conflict resolution since the early 2000s. She grew up between Galt, Ontario – land on the Haldimand Tract and part of Treaty 3, and Oliphant – on Lake Huron, land of the Chippewas of Nawash First Nation, on Treaty 72. Molly completed her Masters in Social work at the University of Toronto, and currently works as the Provincial Director of the Women and HIV/AIDS Initiative of Ontario.

    mbannerman@whai.ca
    416-364-4555 ext. 321

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    Kristin Boyer (they/them)

    Program Lead

    Kristin Boyer (they/them) has a background in community-based social justice advocacy including harm reduction, gender-based violence, and building awareness related to poverty and food insecurity. Their particular interest in community health has led to volunteer and work experience related to informed choice and service access for pregnant and birthing people, sexuality education, and overdose prevention. Raised in Southern Ontario, Kristin studied at the University of Guelph as well as Lakehead University in Thunder Bay, where they resided for many years. Currently a resident of Toronto, Kristin works with the Provincial Women & HIV/AIDS Initiative (WHAI) Team as the Program Lead.

    kboyer@whai.ca
    416-364-4555 ext. 322

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    Asli Mahdi (she/her)

    Evaluation and Knowledge Translation Lead

    Asli Mahdi (she/her) is the Evaluation and Knowledge Translation Lead for the Women and HIV/AIDS Initiative (WHAI). She was previously the WHAI Coordinator at the AIDS Committee of Ottawa for three (3) years, tasked with cultivating partnerships and building capacity of service providers to support women living with or at disproportionate risk for HIV. She obtained her BA in Anthropology and MA in Human Geography from Carleton University, as well as her Social Service Worker diploma from Algonquin College. Her research interests vary from cultural and medical anthropology, ethnography, therapeutic landscapes and health equity and literacy. She is an advocate for arts-based approaches to research, evaluation and community development.

    amahdi@whai.ca
    416-364-4555, ext. 323

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    Maddie Yim (she/her)

    Resource Development and Social Media Coordinator

    Maddie Yim (she/her) is the Resource Development and Social Media Coordinator for the Women and HIV / AIDS Initiative (WHAI). Prior to beginning this role, Maddie graduated from the University of Windsor’s School of Social Work in 2022 and became the WHAI Coordinator at Pozitive Pathways where she contributed to educational and support programs for women that focused on HIV prevention and testing, harm reduction, and community connection. With years of volunteer experience in resource development and a deep commitment to social justice, Maddie continues to pursue her drive to create accessible, inclusive and empowering community resources.

    myim@whai.ca
    416-364-4555 ext. 324

Local Coordinators

You can connect directly with a local WHAI Coordinator at the following locations:

Find a WHAI Coordinator Near You
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Logo of AIDS Committee of Durham Region with figures holding hands and a globe above.
Colorful AONBA logo with a red ribbon symbol on the left.
Colorful dot spiral next to "CAYR Community Connections: People Supporting People" text.
A red teardrop shape with a green leaf and orange flame combined, above the text "Agricultural & Processed Food Products Export Development Authority.
Logo for Ontario Aboriginal HIV/AIDS Strategy featuring a red ribbon over a web-like design.
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Logo with a tree of colorful circles and text "Pozitive Pathways Community Services" on the right side.
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How We Work

WHAI’s work is structured around 6 priority areas rooted in the principles of community development and collective impact.

More About How We Work

Our Priority Areas

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