Since 1990, the SHARP Foundation has provided housing, healthcare, and emotional support to those who are at-risk of contracting or living with HIV in the Calgary community. For the last sixteen years, SHARP has been privileged to have Floyd Visser leading the way as the Executive Director. He oversaw SHARP’s growth and has been a tireless advocate for the LGBTQ2S+ community. Floyd is now embarking on a new adventure and will be retiring on July 31, 2020. We are thankful for his passion and hard work over the years.

In Floyd’s words, "I am so proud to have been a member of the SHARP team for the past 16 years and all that we have accomplished together. I am privileged and humbled to have had the opportunity to meet and work with some of the most incredible people in the world particularly those I was hired to serve. Today SHARP is recognized as a leader in non-judgmental, compassionate care for people who are challenged with barrier after barrier to access the supports they need. There is no doubt this recognition will only grow. Now that we have stabilized in our response to COVID-19, I can look forward to retirement knowing our committed team is prepared to continue its work in the changing environment. I have told many people that I was destined to work with SHARP. I feel very fortunate to have had this opportunity. Thank you all."

This is an important and exciting time in the SHARP’s history. Prior to Floyd’s retirement, we will engage an Interim ED to provide support and leadership to SHARP as the Board works proactively to identify and welcome a new Executive Director who will lead the organization in continuing with its life changing work in our community. The Board has struck a Transition Committee to support this process, and over the next few months, we will be engaging a variety of stakeholders to inform this work. We look forward to the many collaborative and generative conversations that we will have in the coming months.

Please join us in celebrating Floyd Visser’s contributions to the SHARP Foundation and the Calgary community. SHARP will move forward with a continued commitment to provide compassionate and non-judgmental care to members of our community.

www.theSHARPfoundation.com