Transitions: A Conversation with Kevin Robert Frost and Kyle Clifford

With the announcement of Kevin Robert Frost’s impending retirement as amfAR CEO and the naming of Chief Development Officer Kyle Clifford as his successor, we sat down with the two amfAR executives for a conversation about their time at the organization and their goals and aspirations.  

 

Is there a moment that stands out to you as you look back on your time at amfAR?

FROST

There have been so many special moments—some amazing things that happened at our events over the years but also in the history of the epidemic itself. I joined amfAR in 1994 and the Vancouver AIDS conference in 1996 was a pivotal moment because it was the first conference where we learned about protease inhibitors. It was the introduction of protease inhibitors and combination therapy that would change everything about the epidemic. For the first time, we started to see declining mortality rates, we started to see people’s health improve. The Lazarus Effect was real, and people came back from the brink. For me, that was a huge moment.

There were other moments along the way. Certainly, the incredible success of PrEP, which really none of us predicted when the first iPrEx studies came on the scene and we saw just how incredibly effective PrEP was. And treatment as prevention. The incredible effect that treatment as prevention had—getting so many people on treatment, besides saving lives, had a profound impact on reducing the number of new infections.

Among the many people you’ve met during your time as amfAR CEO, who has influenced you the most?

FROST

First and foremost was amfAR’s extraordinary Founding Chairman Dr. Mathilde Krim. She was a towering figure. Being able to work with her and the private conversations we had together was something I will always cherish.

“There have been other figures like that in history—the Nelson Mandelas of the world—but Dr. Krim was certainly among them.”

Dr. Krim had a profound sense of humanity. She had this abiding faith in people and belief in the goodness of people—almost to the point of being naive. She had extraordinary privilege and access but she was still amazingly humble and down to earth. As I said at her funeral, she spent her entire life trying to bend the arc of the universe towards justice. She devoted her life to service, to other people. I know that there have been other figures like that in history—the Nelson Mandelas of the world—but Dr. Krim was certainly among them.

What are you most proud of? 

FROST

There are probably two things that stand out for me. The first was TREAT Asia, the amfAR program that I helped create in 2001 that has since become a model of regional collaboration on HIV research, training and advocacy. The second would be the fact that there are now ten people cured of HIV, because it was amfAR that put cure on the map. We were the first to go out and state firmly we believed we could cure people and we were going to put our money where our mouth was. In a speech in San Francisco in 2009, not long after the Berlin patient had come to light, I said that “cure” would no longer be a four-letter word because we believed we had to be clear about what it was we were trying to achieve and from that point forward, amfAR would focus its research program on finding a cure.

What’s your message to Kyle Clifford as he prepares to take over as CEO?

FROST

Let the work speak for itself. Always focus on the work. Always focus on what it is we’re trying to achieve and never lose sight of that—it’ll guide all of your decisions.

So Kyle, how does it feel to be taking the helm at amfAR?

CLIFFORD

It is with immense pride and deep gratitude that I step into the role of CEO, inheriting an organization that has made momentous progress under Kevin’s stellar leadership. Leading such a highly respected global foundation, one that upholds the highest standards and is powered by a team of passionate, committed, and exceptionally talented individuals—is for me an honor and a profound responsibility.

Above all, I am committed to ensuring we remain steadfast in our mission to make AIDS history, always remembering where we came from, the communities we seek to support, and our role as a driving force in advancing biomedical research in other areas.

I look forward to standing side by side with our incredible team, our loyal partners, as we continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible.

What are your top priorities?

CLIFFORD

First and foremost, people will experience a smooth and seamless leadership transition. Kevin and I have worked closely together for the past five years, and in my role as Chief Development Officer, I have gained a deep understanding of our organization, our mission, and the path ahead. Maintaining continuity will be essential as we stay focused on achieving our ambitious goals for this year and beyond.

Looking ahead, two top priorities will shape our future.

The first is our unwavering commitment to finding a cure for HIV, ensuring that groundbreaking research continues while advocating for the critical global funding required to end the epidemic. This remains at the heart of our mission.

The second is strategically expanding our biomedical research efforts into other critical areas, leveraging our innovative research and funding model to maximize impact where it is needed most. As we advance, we will also integrate a comprehensive AI strategy to enhance and accelerate all our efforts.

Despite the significant and evolving challenges we face, I am optimistic about the road ahead and confident that, together, we will continue to push forward, break new ground, and drive meaningful progress.

To many Americans, HIV/AIDS barely registers as a public health threat. How do you see amfAR adapting to this new landscape?

CLIFFORD

First and foremost, I want to acknowledge the extraordinary generosity and unwavering support of our donors. In my current role, I have seen firsthand how deeply our supporters believe in our mission, and this strong foundation equips us for the next phase of our growth as an organization.

However, there is no doubt that HIV/AIDS funding has faced significant challenges in recent years. In some ways, we are a victim of our own success—advancing biomedical research brings the reality that the more progress we make, the harder we must work to sustain engagement and investment in our work.

That said, I see tremendous opportunities ahead. We have a chance to reach new audiences and communicate the uniqueness of our biomedical research model. Our story and model are compelling, and I believe will resonate with an even broader group of donors and partners.

“I want to be clear: our commitment to finding a cure for HIV remains steadfast.”

By expanding our outreach beyond our traditional support base, we can tap into a global network that values bold innovative research. I believe there exists a constituency of donors who will be drawn to our mission expansion and the innovative funding model that drives our work.

However, it goes without saying that we are also at a pivotal moment here in the United States. Recent policy decisions have created new and very serious challenges for the global HIV response. These challenges also present an opportunity for us to re-engage past supporters while also bringing new voices into the conversation.

Above all, I want to be clear: our commitment to finding a cure for HIV remains steadfast. Under my leadership, the HIV-positive community will never be forgotten.

FROST

We’re about to enter a very dark time in the history of the epidemic, because overnight the United States government—the largest funder of HIV/AIDS programs around the world—has cut off support for these programs. So what we’re going to see, unless something changes, is a rapid increase in new cases of HIV around the world. We’re going to see an accelerating mortality rate in men, women and children with HIV around the world, and we’re likely to see the emergence of resistant strains of HIV that are going to make it more difficult to treat HIV around the world. So it is my belief that in the next three to four years as this scenario starts to play out, the urgency of our work is going to increase. It’s going to take a little while to see the full effect of these decisions, but it’s clear that we’re going to be sounding the alarm as we start to see increasing mortality rates and increasing rates of new infections.

On a personal level, as a person living with HIV, how does it feel to be taking over as CEO at one of the nation’s leading HIV/AIDS organizations?

CLIFFORD

I step into this role as an HIV-positive man, alive today only because of organizations like amfAR and the brave visionaries who fought for people like me. My primary focus will always be to ensure we fulfill our mission and make AIDS history.

For me, this is deeply personal. When I hear about the impact of policy decisions on people living with HIV, I don’t just understand it—I feel it. Right now, across the world, people are waking up uncertain of their future, many grappling with the devastating reality that they may not survive. That drives me. It sharpens my focus and strengthens my resolve to accelerate our progress toward a cure.

I came out at a young age in Ireland, at a time when AIDS was perceived as a crisis confined to London and New York. Back then, coming out was difficult, and for those diagnosed with HIV, leaving was often the only option. London and New York were the few places offering clinical trials and treatment. That’s why so many Irish gay men left—and why, tragically, thousands died far from home.

Stepping into this role has, in many ways, been a second coming out for me. Only recently have I shared with my family and loved ones that I am HIV-positive. Like so many others, I lived in silence for years—fearful, uncertain, and unable to share my truth.

I am incredibly fortunate to have the unwavering support of my amazing husband, Brian, and my loving family. Working at amfAR has given me the opportunity to fully embrace my own journey. And as CEO, I want people to know that the person sitting at this desk is not just leading the fight for a cure—I am living that fight every single day.

“I step into this role as an HIV-positive man, alive today only because of organizations like amfAR and the brave visionaries who fought for people like me.”

I also know I am stepping into big shoes. I inherit this role from someone who has dedicated his life to this cause. Frankly, I am alive today because of people like Kevin—and countless others—who took to the streets, protested, and demanded action from governments and the pharmaceutical industry. That history must never be forgotten. As leaders, we have a responsibility to honor it, carry it forward, and ensure that amfAR remains a powerful voice for those who have none.

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