Kara Desiderio
Project HEALTH Program Manager
kara@transgenderlawcenter.org
415 865-0176 ext. 311

Kara Desiderio is a native New Yorker, who has been loving sunny California since 2003.  She currently serves as Program Manager of Project HEALTH (Harnessing Education, Advocacy and Leadership in Transgender Healthcare).  Kara coordinates all aspects of the innovative and unique program that aims to increase access to transgender healthcare throughout the state of California.  In her work she manages trainings and technical assistance to California clinics and providers and increases community member and provider participation in health advocacy.  She organizes and networks existing efforts at a number of organizations bridging between health care providers and advocates in a coherent, comprehensive, and transformative way. Kara is passionate about ensuring that all transgender people have access to comprehensive, quality, culturally-sensitive health care in their own communities.

Prior to coming to Lyon-Martin, Kara spent 7 years working in non-profit management and community organizing on the local and national level with cooperative business and housing.  After transitioning to the public health arena, Kara has worked in harm reduction agencies providing direct services as an advocate, counselor, street outreach worker and as an HIV test counselor.  Since 1999, Kara has been an avid activist for underserved communities, including people living with HIV/AIDS, youth, LGBTQ communities, substance users, sex workers, the marginally housed, the undocumented, and the frequently incarcerated.