CenterLink: The Community of LGBT Centers extends congratulations to Adrian Shanker, executive director of the Spahr Center in Marin County, California, who has been appointed as Senior Adviser on LGBTQI+ Health Equity in the office of the Assistant Secretary for Health at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, currently led by Dr. Rachel Levine. 

Adrian previously served the current administration as a volunteer member of the Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS. He became the executive director of the Spahr Center in April of 2022.  Prior to that, he founded the Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Community Center in Allentown PA; where he served as executive director for more than seven years. He has also authored two books focused on LGBTQ health. 

“Adrian has had tremendous impact in the communities where he has led centers and has demonstrated a consistent and passionate focus on LGBTQ health” said CenterLink CEO Denise Spivak.   “In this new role, Adrian will continue to be a strong advocate for the health of the LGBTQI+ community and support the Biden administration’s efforts to advance health equity.”