BIOGRAPHY
Abnermason@sbcglobal.net
Abner@AbnerMason.com
Abner Mason is Founder and CEO of Corporate Responsibility Partners (CRP), a company focused on helping
companies in emerging markets to identify, develop and evaluate cutting edge workplace wellness programs that
target the major causes of poor health and rising health-care cost including diabetes, obesity, smoking, high blood
pressure, high cholesterol, and HIV. In 2010, CRP launched the Workplace Wellness and Prevention Council of
Mexico (www.wwpcmexico.com), a forum where member companies can learn how to use workplace wellness
programs to improve employee health and reduce health-care costs.
For the previous six years, Abner served as founder and Executive Director of AIDS Responsibility Project (ARP), a
non-profit whose mission is to work with key policy makers in the public and private sector to ensure that under-
served people affected by HIV get the care and support they need.
With Abner's leadership, ARP‘s international programs have focused on reducing HIV-related stigma and
discrimination in the workplace by working with companies to develop and implement effective workplace policies.
With funding from the US Agency for International Development (USAID), in 2004 ARP created CONAES, the first
business council on HIV/AIDS in Mexico. This effort was so successful that it was expanded to Jamaica in 2006
where ARP developed JaBCHA, the first HIV/AIDS business council in Jamaica.
Abner has also been active in policy development, working with the Administration and Congress. In 2003, ARP
hosted a Congressional Staff Delegation to South Africa, Botswana, and Uganda to educate staffers about the need
for addition US funding for AIDS in Africa. In 2004 ARP hosted a Congressional Staff Delegation to Mexico, Brazil
and Jamaica that included hosting a public forum in Sao Paulo, Brazil on the importance of expanding access to
essential drugs.
Abner’s domestic activities have focused on prevention and education efforts. In 2006, Abner hosted Townhall
Forums across the US as part of the Test for Life campaign, a prevention effort to build support for including HIV
testing as part of routine health-care. Abner's prevention work has often targeted African-Americans, as members of
this group are most at risk for infection. In a first of its kind effort, Abner worked with the Presidents of the 100
Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to implement a voluntary HIV testing program on these
campuses. Abner also worked with platinum record producer Donald XL Robertson on an album of songs entitled
“What Are We Living For” focused on starting the conversation with young people about HIV.
Abner was appointed to the President’s Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS (PACHA) by President Bush in 2002. He
served from 2002 to 2005, and was Chairman of the International Subcommittee. PACHA provides advice,
information and recommendations to the President, and the Secretary of Health and Human Services. As Chairman
of the International Committee, Abner’s focus was the development of policy recommendations to insure effective US
leadership in the global fight against HIV, especially in highly impacted poor countries.
Abner previously spent ten years in Massachusetts State Government, most recently serving as Chief Policy Advisor
to the Governor of Massachusetts. He is a 1985 graduate of Harvard College and lives in Miami. Florida.
RESUME
Abnermason@sbcglobal.net
Abner@AbnerMason.com
WORK EXPERIENCE
CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY PARTNERS
Founder and CEO, 8/08 to present
The mission of CRP is to help companies operating in emerging markets to identify, develop, implement, and
evaluate cutting edge workplace wellness programs that target the major causes of poor health and rising health-
care costs including diabetes, obesity, smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and HIV. In 2010 CRP
launched the Workplace Wellness and Prevention Council of Mexico (www.wwpcmexico.com), a forum where
member companies can learn about the latest wellness programs and share best practices.
AIDS RESPONSIBILITY PROJECT
Executive Director, 1/03 to present www.aidsresponsibility.org
The mission of ARP is to work with key policy makers in the public and private sector to ensure that under-served
people affected by HIV get the care and support they need. ARP operates international programs, and as Executive
Director, Abner led the effort to create the first HIV/AIDS business councils in Mexico (CONAES) and Jamaica
(JaBCHA). Domestic activities included leading the Test For Life campaign, nation-wide effort which advocated for
increased HIV testing in the US.
OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR, COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
Chief Policy Advisor, 4/00 to 9/00, 2/02 to 9/02
Appointed by Governor Cellucci and re-appointed by Governor Swift, the Governor’s Chief Policy Advisor
coordinates the development of policy, and oversees legislative relations for the Administration. The Chief Policy
Advisor serves as a member of the Governor’s Senior Staff.
OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR, COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
Chief Secretary, 9/00 to 2/02
Appointed by Governor Celluci, the Governor’s Chief Secretary is responsible for all gubernatorial appointments, as
well as all matters pertaining to employment within the executive branch of government. The Chief Secretary serves
as a member of the Governor’s Senior Staff.
EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF TRANSPORTATION AND CONSTRUCTION,COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
Undersecretary, 3/98 to 3/99, and Chief of Staff, 7/97 to 3/98
Appointed by and reports to the Secretary of Transportation. Responsible for the oversight of the $1.6 billion
agency, which includes the Massachusetts Highway Department, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority,
the Massachusetts Aeronautics Commission and the Commonwealths fourteen Regional Transportation Authorities.
MASSACHUSETTS BAY TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY
Deputy General Manager, 3/99 to 4/00
Reporting to the General Manager, responsible for managing daily operation of the nations 6th largest transit
authority, which includes bus, subway, light rail, commuter rail, water transportation services, and 6500 employees.
MASSACHUSETTS BAY TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY
Assistant Director of Construction System-Wide, 6/92 to 7/97
Responsible for the planning, design, and construction management of all system-wide power, signals, and
communication projects. Directly responsible for five projects and associated staff with total project costs of $180
million.
APPOINTMENTS
PRESIDENTIAL ADVISORY COUNCIL ON HIV/AIDS
Chairman, International CommitteeMember 2002 - 2005, appointed by President George Bush in 2002. The
Council provides advice, information and recommendations to the President, and the Secretary of Health and
Human Services regarding programs and policies to promote effective prevention, treatment, research, and care of
HIV disease and AIDS in the US and around the world. Abner was appointed Chairman of the International
SubCommitte where his focus was the development of policy recommendations to ensure effective US leadership in
the global fight against HIV, especially in highly impacted poor countries.
EDUCATION
HARVARD COLLEGE A.B. 1985 Cambridge, MA
GOVERNOR DUMMER ACADEMY Graduate, 1980 Byfield, MA