Philadelphia, PA – September 5, 2024 – Prevention Point Philadelphia (PPP) announces the appointment of Silvana Mazzella as the permanent Lead Executive Officer. Mazzella, who has been a cornerstone of the organization for more than 15 years, will officially step into her new role immediately after serving as Interim Lead Executive Officer since July 1, 2023. After a national search with nearly 100 applicants and five finalists, the PPP Board unanimously selected Mazzella to advance to this leadership position.
Silvana Mazzella has demonstrated unwavering dedication and leadership throughout her tenure at PPP. Her work has been instrumental in advancing the organization's mission. Under her interim leadership, PPP has continued to provide essential services, including harm reduction, medical care, and social services, to thousands of Philadelphians. Her leadership will be pivotal in navigating today’s needs and ensuring that PPP remains at the forefront of harm reduction and public health.
"We are thrilled to have Silvana lead Prevention Point Philadelphia into the future," said Ann Ricksecker, Board Chair of PPP. "Her passion, expertise, and vision for the organization align perfectly with our goals. We are confident that Silvana will continue to drive PPP's mission forward and make a profound impact on our community.”
Silvana’s journey with PPP began in 2008 when she joined the organization. She has helped develop, plan, implement, and grow many of PPP’s programs over her 16 years, including the Syringe Services Program, Overdose Prevention Program, and as Principal Investigator for funded research at PPP. Prior to working at PPP, Silvana worked at the Philadelphia Department of Public Health in the Division of Maternal, Child and Family Health (MCFH) and as a non-profit consultant, grant-writer, and non-profit staff recruiter. Prior to that, Silvana worked in an HIV clinic embedded within a hospital. Earlier in her career, Silvana spent eight years working as a community and political organizer in three cities for a national non-profit and also did volunteer street outreach. Silvana holds a BA in Social Work, a Master of Arts in Geography and Urban Studies, and recently served for many years as adjunct faculty in the Department of Geography and Urban Studies at Temple University, teaching largely about drugs and drug policy.
"I am honored and humbled to continue to serve the organization, our staff, our participants, and the community," said Silvana Mazzella, Lead Executive Officer for Prevention Point Philadelphia. "Prevention Point Philadelphia is a vital resource for our community, and the amazing staff of Prevention Point work to provide life saving resources with skill and quality. The team and I are committed to a mission of meeting people where they are, and linking people to medical, behavioral, survival, and housing resources, compassionately and warmly.”
Harm-reduction and the services Prevention Point provides are ever more critical, as the ongoing opioid, stimulant, overdose, and housing crises illustrate the need for one-stop-shop centers like Prevention Point with comprehensive support for vulnerable populations. Prevention Point provides vital services, with a range of resources under one roof.
Photo by Kit Ramsey for Prevention Point Philadelphia.