Honoring Terje Anderson:
A Life of Leadership and Commitment to People Living with HIV
Statement by Dr. José M. Zuniga
The HIV community has lost a passionate advocate, a principled leader, and a relentless voice for dignity and equity with the passing of Terje Anderson. His death is a profound loss to those of us who had the privilege of working alongside him, but also to the countless people living with and affected by HIV whose lives were touched by his unwavering commitment to justice, access, and community.
Terje’s leadership was defined by courage and clarity at a time when both were urgently needed. During his tenure as Policy Director and later Executive Director of the National Association of People with AIDS (NAPWA), he helped shape the national conversation on HIV policy in the United States. From 2000 to 2006, he guided NAPWA through a period of challenge and transformation, ensuring that the voices of people living with HIV remained central to policy, programming, and public discourse. His work reinforced a simple but powerful principle that those most affected by HIV must always be at the forefront of the response.
Beyond his work in the HIV community, Terje shaped public policy and civic life through a distinguished career that bridged health advocacy and political leadership. He served as Chair of the Vermont Democratic Party, where he brought his deep commitment to equity, inclusion, and social justice into the political arena. In that role, he worked to strengthen grassroots engagement, elevate underrepresented voices, and align party priorities with the needs of diverse communities. His leadership reflected a consistent throughline from his HIV advocacy work: ensuring that policy is informed by lived experience and that systems of power remain accountable to the people they serve.
Beyond his national leadership, Terje was a valued contributor to the IAPAC community. Through his engagement with our public policy activities, he brought insight, authenticity, and a deep understanding of the lived realities of people navigating HIV care and treatment. His contributions enriched dialogue, challenged assumptions, and strengthened our collective commitment to person-centered approaches to HIV service delivery. He was a bridge-builder, connecting advocates, clinicians, policymakers, and community members through his ability to translate complex policy issues into human terms made him an effective and respected voice across sectors.
On a personal note, I had the privilege of working with Terje during his time at NAPWA both during my time at the AIDS Action Council and subsequently in my first few years at IAPAC. He was thoughtful, strategic, and deeply grounded in the values that defined his work. He brought both intellect and empathy to every conversation, and he never lost sight of the human stakes behind policy decisions. I learned much from him and was honored to have called him a friend. Those of us who worked with and admired him carry forward not only memories but a responsibility to uphold the standards he set.
Terje Anderson’s voice may be gone, but his impact endures in the policies he helped shape, the communities he strengthened, and the lives he influenced. The HIV movement is stronger because of him. It must now also be worthy of him. Rest in peace, my friend and fellow warrior.
Dr. José M. Zuniga is President/CEO of IAPAC and the Fast-Track Cities Institute.
