Masoud Rezaee works to increase access to PrEP across India

At ZS, we believe that fostering inclusive communities is key to improving health and well-being. With the encouragement of senior leadership and employee-led groups like Pride@ZS, we create an environment where all ZSers feel supported and seen. This commitment extends beyond our workplace, fueling broader community engagement and health equity efforts.

Because of these values, ZSers like Masoud Rezaee, a governance and risk analyst based in Pune, can build awareness, advocate for others and drive meaningful collaborations with external organizations.

Where passion changes lives

Masoud joined ZS over a year ago as a contractor. “It’s an amazing organization,” he says. “I really liked the work and the community. I was honored to join full time.” Eager to grow his career while connecting with ZS culture, Masoud exploredopportunities to get more involved.

“There was a lot of Pride@ZS programming happening during my early days,” he recalls.

Bridging inclusion and impact

Hoping to give back and foster deeper connections with fellow ZSers, Masoud stepped up to assist with Pride@ZS program management. His energy was welcomed—and soon, Masoud was introduced to Mist LGBTQ Foundation, a Pune-based organization that supports LGBTQIA+ rights and community development in India. Mist offers safe spaces, raises awareness and promotes acceptance through events and outreach.

ZS partnered with Mist to support access to PrEP, an HIV preventive medication, for vulnerable communities. The initiative went beyond medication access. It focused on education and awareness, particularly for transgender individuals who often face barriers to care. ZS hosted an educational workshop at our Pune office, addressing misconceptions and highlighting how PrEP works and its potential side effects.

We also brought this knowledge to the broader community, raising awareness through public health education and extending the reach of the initiative.

Meeting health needs with empathy and insight

“The educational workshops were really impactful for me,” Masoud says. “There’s a lot of misinformation around HIV prevention. Getting clear answers helped me support the community with greater empathy.”

Masoud and the team then began outreach for program participation. This step proved challenging due to widespread HIV stigma and low awareness of PrEP. But ZSers approached it like any other challenge: with strategy, research and collaboration.

Driving engagement through digital outreach

Masoud’s team launched a targeted recruitment campaign using social media, dating apps and direct outreach to identify prospective participants. Through prescreening, they narrowed down the interest to 10 eligible recipients.

“We offered stipends to cover transportation and organized healthcare consultations,” Masoud explains. “Ultimately, we were able to send people home with a month’s supply of medication—and a lifetime of knowledge.”

A global conversation on stigma and solutions

Alongside this local effort, ZS hosted a global discussion for World AIDS Awareness Day 2023, highlighting the stigma and misconceptions that affect many communities. This conversation, amplified across regions, emphasized the importance of inclusive health education and equity-driven care.

ZS’s ongoing commitment to health equity

These efforts reflect ZS’s commitment to community health, prevention and inclusive care models. Through Pride@ZS, employee volunteers and strategic partnerships, we continue to explore how we can support vulnerable populations and advance health equity—whether through client partnerships, pro bono work or grassroots outreach.

As we push the boundaries of healthcare innovation and strive to make a lasting difference, we invite you to be part of our journey. Explore open roles at ZS and follow us on social media to see how we’re working together to build a healthier, more inclusive world.

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