Yale University

CIRA Bids Farewell to Jim Pettinelli

Jim Pettinelli will be leaving his position as Assistant Director of CIRA's Community Research and Implementation Core in September to become the new executive director of Liberty Community Services, a greater New Haven-based nonprofit that provides a range of housing and support services, and is dedicated to helping people experiencing homelessness, substance use disorders, mental health issues, and those living with HIV/AIDS. Since joining CIRA in December 2013, Jim was instrumental in helping to form CIRA's model New England HIV Implementation Science Network, now at 600 members from across the region. Jim shared, "I am tremendously proud to have been part of the great team at CIRA. It has been a tremendous honor to work as part of the team in developing the New England HIV Implementation Science Network. The Network, a genuine research-community collective, is so important in responding to the most relevant issues and advance efforts to end this epidemic. To "Get to Zero", we need to be smart, collaborative, and fearless." In addition to his pioneering work on the Network initiative, Jim made invaluable contributions to CIRA’s other programs and Community Advisory Board, the Connecticut HIV/AIDS Identification and Referral Task Force, and other community focused initiatives. Prior to coming to CIRA, Jim was the vice president and chief operating officer for Victory Programs, a Boston-based nonprofit offering services similar to those at Liberty, part of a long career working in community outreach, behavioral health and housing. We wish Jim the very best in his new endeavor and look forward to opportunities to continue to work together in his new role at Liberty Community Services. Jim states, "In joining Liberty, I think it’s not so much that CIRA is losing a staff member, but gaining another community partner."

There will be a farewell reception for Jim at CIRA from 4:30 – 5:30 pm on Thursday, September 7 open to all CIRA colleagues. Please RSVP by September 5 to Elizabeth.cappello@yale.edu.   



Published: Friday, August 25, 2017