Aruna Krishnakumar
Senior Director, Mental Health Services
Aruna Krishnakumar, LCSW is a dedicated advocate and experienced professional in the field of LGBTQIA+ health and wellness. From 2011 to 2016, Aruna served as a valued member of the HMI team, holding roles including Health Counselor/Senior Outreach Specialist, Supervising Counselor, and Senior Supervising Counselor within the Counseling Department. During her tenure, she conducted street outreach to engage young people experiencing homelessness and later transitioned to counseling and supervisory roles, deepening her impact on HMI’s mission.
Since 2016, Aruna has brought her expertise to the Callen-Lorde Community Health Center. She began as the Director of Adolescent Health, overseeing operations of the HOTT Van, a vital resource for youth. She then took on the role of Health Center Director at Callen-Lorde’s Brooklyn clinic, where she successfully managed the launch and day-to-day operations of the site. As Managing Director of Adolescent & Mobile Health, she continued to lead transformative initiatives.
Aruna’s longstanding commitment to youth in the Kiki Ballroom scene is evident through her role as a member representative of the NYC Kiki Coalition, where she collaborates closely with HMI on outreach efforts and events like the annual Youth Pride Fest.
Beyond her extensive experience, Aruna holds a certificate in Trauma-Informed Clinical Practice and has specialized knowledge in HIV testing, opioid overdose response, and gender-based violence. She also supervises the COIN Clinic, a free healthcare service for sex workers launched by Callen-Lorde in partnership with trailblazing transgender activist Cecilia Gentili.
Aruna’s dedication, leadership, and breadth of expertise continue to make a lasting impact on the communities she serves.