Shari Margolese has been an active voice for people living with HIV since her diagnosis in 1993. As a mother, her advocacy and education efforts have often focused on the needs of women and families living with HIV. Shari has served as the National Women's Representative of the Canadian Treatment Action Council (CTAC) and as a volunteer with Voices of Positive Women, where she founded a ground breaking support group for HIV + mothers in 1994.

Currently, Shari is a steering committee member of Blueprint for Action Canada and ATHENA. Shari holds an appointment on the CIHR HIV/AIDS Research Advisory Committee (CHARAC) and she is a leading advocate for the meaningful involvement of people living with HIV in the research process. Shari is a freelance writer, public speaker and community consultant with expertise in knowledge translation and community based research. Shari has been awarded the Golden Jubilee Medal of Queen Elizabeth II and other honors for her contribution and dedication
to the HIV Community.