This month the PLDI reached the milestone of 15 years of programming excellence. We are so proud of how PLDI has grown and developed, where we are today, and where we are heading.  We’d like to extend our thanks and appreciation to the more than 1,000 PLDI graduates in Ontario. We believe that the PLDI and your leadership has shaped the Ontario HIV sector into what it now is.

We extend our thanks to the people who made PLDI what it is today. We owe deep gratitude to OAN staff past and present including Rick Kennedy and Thomas Egdorf, PLDI facilitators, and so many others for their role in creating and sustaining the PLDI. We also thank the 2006 Ontario AIDS Network Board of Directors and our funder the Public Health Agency of Canada for believing in the concept of PLHIV leadership and taking a considerable risk.

A big shout out to our national partners Evin Jones, Stacy Leblanc, Marc Seguin, Kath Webster, and Ken Monteith for seeing the value and magic of PLDI and bringing it to their provinces. To the British Columbia and Quebec managers and trainers/animateur, thank you for your dedication and all that you bring to the program.
 
And last but certainly not least, a big thanks to our fantastic team of Ontario Facilitators – Benjamin, Brittany, Eno, Joseph, Kendall, Kurt and Martin. The resilience and patience that you’ve all shown over this past year has been extraordinary. The productivity of our team has exceeded our goals and we feel proud and honoured to work with you. Without your tremendous support, PLDI would not have achieved such success and we thank you for your hard work and dedication. This team has set a great example of leadership, bonding, and engagement during such a challenging year.
 
As we start the next year of PLDI, we will take time to celebrate important moments on the PLDI path, celebrate our graduates and team, and celebrate those who have been essential to the PLDI’s success. Stay tuned for much more.
 
Thank you to everyone for a fantastic 15 years and to 15 years ahead!

Tara Jewal
Manager of PLDI