Nina Ovian is a queer, Middle Eastern harm reduction advocate and educator in Maryland. She grew up in the DMV area and spent most of her adult life in Baltimore, before panic moving to the Eastern Shore during the pandemic. While she has over 5 years experience with providing harm reduction direct services in Philadelphia and Baltimore, Nina also has more than a decade of experience as a former sex worker and drug user practicing harm reduction long before ever hearing the term. Nina currently works for On Our Own of Maryland, inc. as a behavioral health Training Specialist. Nina holds a degree in Gender and Women’s Studies and has presented at conferences across the country on topics pertaining to harm reduction. Nina has worked with a variety of groups and organizations focused on the intersection of sex work and substance, most notably as the Training Coordinator for Project SAFE. She is particularly interested in serving homeless and rural populations.