Monica L. Ridgeway, BA, MPA

Ms. Ridgeway collaborates with the KIRP team, including the HRI Medical Director and HRI Strategist, to integrate early intervention, outreach, and health education and risk reduction services for persons who are at high-risk for acquiring or transmitting the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) throughout the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

For three years, she served as the State Program Coordinator for the Kentucky Department for Public Health, in the Division of Epidemiology and Health Planning in the HIV/AIDS Section. As a Program Coordinator, Monica served on the HIV Prevention Team where she focused primarily on Harm Reduction, Risk Reduction, and Harm Prevention Practices while serving one of the most targeted populations as defined by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) - people who inject drugs (PWID). In this role, she provided technical assistance to health departments that house Syringe Exchange Programs, community based organizations (CBO), and other HIV agencies. Monica developed program goals and objectives with quantifiable performance measures and developed and implemented quality assurance protocols while reaching communities that are effected the most by HIV and comorbidity of the hepatitis C virus (HCV).

Ms. Ridgeway earned a BA in English with a minor in Print Journalism from Alabama State University. She also earned an MPA with a concentration in Nonprofit Management and Leadership from Walden University. She has also completed twelve credit hours in Spanish courses and had an opportunity to use in the Hispanic/Latino/a communities in over twenty-seven counties in Alabama.

This Paducah, Kentucky, native lived in Montgomery, Alabama, for over thirteen years gaining experience in working with local nonprofit organizations such as: Medical Advocacy Outreach of Alabama, Inc., formally, Medical AIDS Outreach of Alabama, Inc. (MAO), Lighthouse Counseling Center, Inc., Counseling of Substance Abuse (COSA), and Chemical Addictions Program Center. Through the years, she gained experience in event planning, marketing, and fundraising to benefit any organization that she served at large. Ms. Ridgeway also worked with surrounding communities in accumulating donors and obtaining resource development to assist community organizations in exceeding revenue goals. She also developed ground-up training and support structures including reward-based performance management system and incentives, enhanced reporting structures, and coaching programs. She has the ability to write effective grant proposals.

Monica is passionate and detail and result-oriented with a sincere heart for all people. She has a history of being an active volunteer in her community working with organizations geared towards HIV/AIDS awareness, prevention, and treatment. She wants to continue to apply her public health skills to improve education and treatment of people at risk or currently infected with HIV/AIDs. Monica also loves singing and is a worship leader at her church. She volunteers her time while serving as the Resource Development and Fundraising Director for a local non-profit organization where she is able to support the unsupported by empowering people through enhancement of education, economic, and financial growth improving physical and mental health by overcoming social injustice and equity through community engagement and connection.