Gina Arias is on the Maternal Justice (MJ) team at MomsRising working as the Campaign Director for Maternal Mental Health. She advocates for policy changes and greater resources for maternal mental health, as well as supporting the reproductive justice work on the MJ team.  

She has over 25 years of experience in public health focused on program management, community engagement, partnership-building, training, health education, policy, and advocacy. Her work has primarily centered on sexual and reproductive health, maternal health equity, and HIV/AIDS with the New York City Department of Health as well as at non-profit organizations such as Housing Works, Gay Men’s Health Crisis, and Alianza Dominicana. 

In the mid 1990s she served in the Peace Corps in Niger, conducting health and nutrition education. Following that life-changing experience she went on to earn a dual Master degree in International Affairs and Public Health from Columbia University. In 2015 she became a Registered Nurse, earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.

She has, for decades, been involved in social justice movements primarily in the spheres of police violence and HIV/AIDS. 

She is the co-creator of Excursions with Gina Arias, a storytelling podcast focused on the themes of community, music, and resistance. As a writer, her love of travel has included working as senior editor at DETOUR, a Black travel publication. 

Last but not least, she is the mother of a 22-year old son who is her pride and joy.