For more than 30 years, Hope & Help of Central Florida has been a cornerstone in the Sunshine State, offering vital services such as free HIV testing and comprehensive education. Renowned as a leader in HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment, Hope & Help remains a trusted and well-established resource for Florida’s communities.
Now, the organization is proud to announce the appointment of Thresa Giles as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective Monday, May 5, 2025.
With over three decades of leadership experience spanning both for-profit and non-profit sectors, Giles brings a wealth of expertise and vision to Hope & Help. As the organization looks to further expand its impact and strengthen its presence in Florida, Giles is uniquely positioned to lead this new chapter of growth and innovation.
Proven Experience
Giles has a long history of fostering organizational growth. She has built a reputation for excellence in operational leadership, financial management, and strategic planning over her career. In her most recent role as Chief Financial Officer at Stand for Children, Inc. — a national nonprofit focused on educational success and social progress — she oversaw complex financial portfolios and guided the organization through periods of expansion and innovation across seven states.
In a recent press release about the announcement, Blake Powell, President of the Hope & Help Board of Directors, said, “Ms. Giles’s appointment follows a comprehensive search to find the right leader to help the organization grow and expand to fulfill our mission of ending the HIV/STI epidemic and empowering everyone to live healthy and stay well.”
Giles’s expertise doesn’t end with just financial acumen. She has extensive experience in procurement, compliance, technology integration, and grant administration. This wealth of experience makes Giles uniquely positioned to help with everything Hope & Help needs to continue serving Florida’s communities well.
A Vision for the Future
Giles comes to Hope & Help with a clear, strategic vision for the organization’s future. For Giles, success all starts with enhanced community partnerships and expanded access to care.
“The story of Hope & Help is one of unwavering hope, remarkable resilience, and the power of community,” she said in the organization’s recent press release regarding her appointment as CEO. “Together with our dedicated staff, volunteers, partners, and supporters, we will continue to break down barriers, save lives, and inspire healthier futures.”
The initiatives that Giles hopes to establish aim to ensure the long-term viability of Hope & Help. Believing in the transformative power of community, Giles hopes to enhance collaboration with other local organizations, healthcare providers, and influential community members in the LGBTQ+ space. It is all in the name of expanding Hope & Help’s mission to give greater access to HIV and other STI testing, protection, and educational resources.
Experience, Education, and Leadership
Giles brings extensive education and the marks of an award-winning career to Hope & Help with an MBA in Statistical Management and a Bachelor of Science in Finance, providing a strong foundation in analytical decision-making and financial expertise. She is also in the final stages of completing her Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership.
The new CEO also brings a number of awards with her, including the Wharton Business School CFO Fellows Award, the Jacksonville Women of Influence Award, the Ultimate CFO Award, and the State of Delaware Outstanding Leader Award.
Giles’s commitment to furthering her education and sharpening her leadership skills is a testament to how important career growth has always been to her. She is now bringing this strong background to Hope & Help.
Bolstering Hope & Help’s Ongoing Mission
The Hope & Help Board and its various team members are excited about what Giles brings to the table with her educational background, accolades, and leadership experience. Since its inception, Hope & Help has been at the forefront of the fight to end HIV and AIDS in Florida. Recently, Florida ranked among the Top 5 states in the country for HIV infections, making the work that Hope & Help does absolutely critical.
Hope & Help doesn’t just offer access to free HIV and STI testing, but also primary care and specialty care with a focus on education, prevention, and support. Hope & Help also provides linkage to crucial community resources for people in Florida with various programs and partnerships.
It is the goal of Hope & Help to give access to quality, affordable testing and health care so the level of HIV infections in Florida can be diminished. With their mission in mind, Hope & Help is excited about continuing their journey toward eliminating HIV and AIDS with Thresa Giles at the helm.
Welcoming their new CEO is a pivotal moment for Hope & Help, sparking a renewed commitment to the mission they started over 30 years ago. Leadership transitions within non-profit organizations can often be transformational, leading to excitement among team members, new ideas, innovative solutions, and strengthened partnerships.
Thresa Giles is poised to bring Hope & Help into the future with her extensive experience and knowledge. Her vision for expanding community partnerships, diversifying funding, and investing in technology is sure to help Hope & Help’s mission to break down barriers to education, testing, and protection for the Florida community.
