Max Siegel contracted HIV shortly after completing his Arizona school district’s abstinence-only sex education program. Max was 17 and, still in high school, he redirected his career aspirations to include aiding in the prevention and treatment of HIV and AIDS. He went on to lead student-based prevention interventions at his university, work as a Consumer Advocate for women and youth living with the virus, become an Infectious Disease Specialist through his county health department, and coordinate an HIV counseling and testing program at a Phoenix nonprofit. He has been a featured speaker for various community-based organizations and hundreds of college graduate and undergraduate courses. Currently 23, Max has received national recognition for his HIV prevention efforts among youth. He joined AIDS Alliance for Children, Youth & Families in April of 2008.