Chris Richey is the CEO & Founder of The Stigma Project, an HIV organization that works to eliminate the stigma associated with HIV and AIDS through awareness, art, provocation, and education. The organization’s principle focus on branding, integrative and interactive marketing and advertising strategies, have been recognized as a disruptive force in new media.

 

An east Texas native, Chris moved to Los Angeles in 2010 to pursue a career in political & nonprofit fundraising. He began work as a staff assistant at the firm of Capital Campaigns, led by 30-year industry veteran Anne Hyde Dunsmore. After just six months, Chris was promoted as the firm’s Account Executive, working directly with clients on the strategic planning and execution of fundraising plans that ranged from mayoral to Congressional. His nonprofit work included board development and assisting in the advancement of a $100 million capital campaign.  Additionally, Chris worked on numerous high-profile nonprofit events in Los Angeles, including the Los Angeles Police Foundation’s ‘True Blue Gala’, the LA BioMed Research Institute’s Annual Gala, the University of California – Irvine Medical School’s ‘Salute to Science’, and the inaugural gala for the Homeland Security Advisory Council.  All together, Chris took part in raising over $8 million to support his firm’s clients.

 

Shortly after leaving Capital Campaigns, Chris was diagnosed with HIV. The stigma and discrimination he experienced firsthand, coupled with his experience working in the nonprofit sector, led the way to founding The Stigma Project in February 2012.

 

Under his leadership, the organization has reached millions around the globe, receiving a variety of high profile accolades and international media coverage.

 

In 2013, TSP was invited to the White House to take part in a panel discussion that followed President Obama’s signing of the Executive Order implementing the HIV Care Continuum Initiative. Also, Gilead Pharmaceuticals partnered with TSP to create the ‘Engage’ Campaign which was highly visible and a major focus at this year’s United States Conference on AIDS. 

 

In October, West Hollywood honored the organization with a ‘Key to the City’ for its work in raising awareness and advocating to end HIV stigma. 

 

Chris is actively involved in a number of Los Angeles area nonprofits and currently serves on the Advisory Board for the Los Angeles Law and Policy Project. Chris earned his BA in Marketing from Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, TX.

 

Chris is an avid dodgeball player and lives in Los Angeles, California.