Sebastian Dennis-Beron

I am currently Public Health Strategist at the Association of Directors of Public Health in London, where I work closely with statutory Directors of Public Health from across the city’s 32 local authorities, and regional bodies such as the Greater London Authority (GLA) and the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities. After completing a Public Health Masters from Imperial College London, I have worked in a number of NGO and public sector organisations including the Wellcome Trust, where I worked with UNICEF to deliver a multi-country research programme, and the GLA where I delivered the Mayor’s £275 million Universal Free School Meals programme. 

I was drawn to METRO by the organisation’s commitment to ensuring everyone can access health and wellbeing services. I connected to the charity’s work supporting the queer community and its commitment to working in an equitable way. As a queer, Latinx man, whose career has been centred on improving human health and wellbeing, particularly for underserved communities, I was thankful for and excited by the opportunity to join METRO’s mission. 

During my tenure at METRO, I am keen to bring my skills and experience in public health, working with communities, and commitment to EDI and anti-racism to support the organisation to grow and develop during a period of evolution. I’m particularly keen to apply my knowledge and experience in METRO’s HIV work, helping to shape the strategic work, aligning with wider strategies, and support centring our service users and communities in our policies and programmes. I’m also keen to embed inclusive and anti-racist practice in all aspects of METRO’s work, not only to ensure the organisation’s programmes are equitable and accessible, but also as an inclusive institution and employer. 

I aspire to see the organisation grow and evolve with its new Board, and to apply my skills and experience in a meaningful way that ultimately improves the lives of METRO’s service users. I’m keen to be part of real-time strategic development with the organisation’s executive team, to learn from my fellow trustees, and be a healthy challenger to influence meaningful change and provoke diverse and innovative thinking. I hope to help shape METRO as an innovative leader in the queer health and wellbeing space and increase the charity’s reach in terms of the people who can benefit from its work.  

I couldn’t stress more how passionate I am about improving Londoners’ health, particularly through tackling inequalities that have stark effects on health outcomes, especially with my lived experience in both LGBTQ+ and Latinx communities in London. I am honoured to support METRO in their work to ensure that HIV, sexual health and other wellbeing initiatives with vulnerable Londoners - I look forward to engaging with you all to help to grow and develop METRO and achieve its mission.