Nori Herras

Nori Herras currently runs TransPowerment, a Transgender-Specific program in the South Bay Area. She also currently serves as a Commissioner on the Santa Clara County HIV Planning Council for Prevention and is the Chair of its Education and Awareness Committee. She also volunteers at the Billy DeFrank LGBT Center as a support group facilitator and as an HIV Test Counselor for its HIV Testing Program.

Nori has been actively involved in Transgender issues in the South Bay since 2004. She has participated on a number of Speaker panels, in collaboration with PFLAG and MCC Church, to educate and inform the general public about Transgender issues while helping to make South Bay High Schools and colleges safer for the Transgender-Identified students pursuing an education. She has also served as the Vice President for the Rainbow Gender Association, from 2005-2007. In 2006, she began her journey into HIV Prevention & Education as an outreach worker, and since then has been an HIV Prevention Case Manager, Mentor, Health Educator, and Advocate for the Transgender Community.

In 2008 she was the recipient of the Angel Award, given by Transgender San Francisco, The Rainbow Gender Association, the Diablo Valley Girls, and Carla's Salon & Boutique.

In 2009 she was recognized by BAANLAD for her work in HIV Prevention & Education.

She has been married to her Husband, Joe Castaneda for 18 years and exercises her Maternal Instincts while helping her fellow Community Members...who are also her Family.