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June 6, 2024
Whether it’s supporting coalitions that advocate for Medicaid adult dental benefit expansion or awarding funds to help organizations provide oral health care to patients with developmental differences, the CareQuest Institute Philanthropy team invests strategically to promote healthy communities and improve the overall system to create better oral health for all.
But who makes up this nine-person team, and why are they passionate about the work they do every day at CareQuest Institute?
Kaz Rafia, DDS, MBA, MPH
Chief Dental Officer, Executive Vice President of Health Equity
In his role, Kaz spearheads strategic initiatives to foster and advance engagement and access to integrated oral health care for underserved and underrepresented communities. He also drives the organization’s efforts to elevate the integration of oral health and overall health care through the oversight of the health improvement and grantmaking teams.
Kaz brings over two decades of experience in successful startups, academia, managed care, government, and nonprofit organizations to CareQuest Institute. Prior to joining the organization, Kaz served as the state dental director for the Oregon Health Authority, the director of operations for the Partnership for International Medical Access-Northwest, a founding partner of Rafia Dental, a clinical associate professor at Oregon Health & Science University, and a clinic director at Kaiser Permanente.
Kaz holds a doctor of dental surgery degree from The Ohio State University , a master of business administration degree from University of Illinois, and a master of public health degree from Johns Hopkins University.
What drew you to work at CareQuest Institute?
“I wanted to be part of something bigger, mission-oriented, and well-resourced — an organization that does not have the traditional constraints like organized dentistry or a political office. I also appreciated the opportunity to join an incredibly capable team whose work I had personally leveraged in my teaching at Oregon Health & Science University and when drawing Oregon’s state strategic plan for oral health while working as state dental director for the Oregon Health Authority.”
Trenae Simpson, MBA
Director of Grants and Programs
As a funder, CareQuest Institute provides strategic guidance, technical assistance, and targeted learning focused on authentic community engagement, health equity and social justice. In her role, Trenae leads the strategic development and implementation of a philanthropic strategy that includes advocacy, care delivery, and intentional investment in building community capacity. Beginning as an associate, Trenae has helped grantees and their partners meet their goals and objectives, while supporting a growing movement toward oral health equity. In alignment with this highly relational approach to grantmaking, Trenae also leads the strategy and design for the Oral Health Progress and Equity Network (OPEN), a national network of advocates working to improve oral health equity for all.
Trenae has more than 10 years of experience within philanthropy and continues to be excited about ongoing opportunities to amplify community voice to drive change. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Harvard University and a master of business administration degree from the Carroll School of Management at Boston College.
What drew you to work at CareQuest Institute?
“The vision of an oral health movement grounded in justice initially attracted me to this work. We aim to disrupt historical power structures that have kept so many individuals without access to person-centered, equitable care. The community-first approach is central to the work we do and is critical for the change we want to see in this country.”
Melodie Griffin, MHA
Manager of Grants and Programs
Melodie joined the CareQuest Institute Philanthropy team as the manager of grants and programs in 2023. In this role, Melodie provides leadership for the grantmaking team, manages the relationships with national grantees, and helps develop and update the grantmaking strategy for CareQuest Institute’s grantmaking portfolio.
Melodie joined the Institute after nearly 10 years as the community outreach director for a small health-focused foundation. In this role, she worked closely with community organizations to improve the health and well-being of Central Florida residents through grants and initiatives.
She has a bachelor of science in food and nutrition science from Auburn University and a master of science in healthcare administration from the University of Central Florida. She is the proud wife of a law enforcement officer and has two children. In her spare time, you can find her at CrossFit, riding horses, or enjoying the outdoors with her family.
What drew you to work at CareQuest Institute?
“I was drawn to CareQuest Institute’s culture — both the relationship-based grantmaking and the support CareQuest Institute offers its employees.”
John Gabelus
Grants and Programs Associate (Northeast and Mid-Atlantic Region Portfolio)
John joined CareQuest Institute as a grants and programs associate in 2021. In his role, he supports existing grantees by connecting them to various oral health resources and facilitates opportunities for shared learning, collaboration, and coordination among them.
John hails from Boston, Massachusetts, but now lives in Central Pennsylvania with his wife, an orthopedic resident. He earned his bachelor of arts in theology from Boston College, where he also obtained his master’s degree in theology and ministry before starting his career in the philanthropic sector.
In his free time, he enjoys weightlifting, gardening, and cooking for his friends and family.
What drew you to work at CareQuest Institute?
“I was drawn to CareQuest Institute’s approach to philanthropy, which focuses on systems change and community-driven solutions. I was also drawn to the organization’s explicit commitment to health equity. I have found that working at CareQuest Institute offers me a chance to connect more authentically with prospective and returning applicants as well as collaborate on internal projects more regularly with my colleagues.”
Marceline English
Grant and Programs Associate (Southeast Region Portfolio)
Prior to stepping into her role as a grant and programs associate, Marceline spent seven years at the Florida Association of Free and Charitable Clinics, managing a private-public partnership with the state’s Department of Health. With skills in program evaluation, impact measurement, and project management, she is enthusiastic about contributing to CareQuest Institute’s mission of enhancing oral health outcomes for underserved communities.
On a personal note, when she is not immersed in grantmaking, she loves exploring Florida’s beaches and taking Auggie, her mini Aussie, everywhere. She is always open to discussing her latest reality show binge, whether it’s chatting about Real Housewives or dissecting Love Is Blind.
What drew you to work at CareQuest Institute?
“As a grantmaker, I was actively seeking an opportunity to expand my reach nationally and pursue an innovative approach to addressing health care access, which I found at CareQuest Institute.”
Megan Tenpas, MPH
Grants and Programs Associate (Midwest Portfolio)
Megan recently joined the CareQuest Institute Philanthropy team as a grants and programs associate in April 2024. In her role, Tenpas manages the Midwest portfolio of grants.
Megan joined CareQuest Institute after more than eight years working for a dental insurance provider in Wisconsin, both as part of their marketing team and as a grants manager for their oral health foundation. Through her foundation work, Megan combined her joy of helping people with a newfound love for oral health access and equity.
She has a bachelor of arts degree in journalism and mass communication from the University of Minnesota and a master of public health degree from Creighton University. She is married with two sons and enjoys spending time on the lake and exploring the outdoors in central Wisconsin, even during the winter.
What drew you to work at CareQuest Institute?
“As a self-proclaimed oral health nerd, I found the perfect match of both my passion for oral health equity and building relationships with grantees and like-minded people across the country.”
Mari Houlihan
Grants and Programs Associate (Western Portfolio)
Mari joined the Philanthropy team in October 2023. As a grants and programs associate, Houlihan provides relationship management for CareQuest Institute’s grantee portfolio in the western US, including Texas, where she resides.
Prior to joining CareQuest Institute, Mari was a grant manager at the American College of Emergency Physicians, managing federal and foundation grant funds supporting substance use disorder education and resources in emergency departments across the country.
Mari has bachelor of social work and bachelor of international area studies degrees from the University of Oklahoma and enjoys camping, hiking, and traveling with her family.
What drew you to work at CareQuest Institute?
“I was drawn to CareQuest Institute to work with organizations across the country to improve oral health equity, and I enjoy the opportunity to work remotely.”
Bianca Rogers, MBA
Project Manager
Bianca joined the CareQuest Institute Philanthropy team as a project manager in 2023. In this role, Bianca provides strategic and day-to-day operational support of OPEN, an initiative of CareQuest Institute.
Since 2014, she has worked with various oral health organizations to promote health equity, including the American Dental Hygienists’ Association, the American Institute of Dental Public Health, and the American Association of Dental Boards. Her career started at Oral Health America (OHA), where she oversaw the organization’s advocacy activities and legislative priorities. This included OHA’s initiative to integrate oral health into Medicare as part of a grant from the DentaQuest Foundation.
Bianca graduated from Loyola University Chicago, where she studied health systems management, and holds an MBA from Loyola’s Quinlan School of Business.
What drew you to work at CareQuest Institute?
“I was drawn to work at CareQuest Institute because their vision aligned with my values — the pursuit of a more just society through service to others.”
Courtney Leeper-Coles
Grants and Program Coordinator
Courtney was born and raised in Papillion, Nebraska, and moved back in the summer of 2023 after 10 years of living in several different spots across the US. She covers all administrative work, ranging from supporting grantees in Fluxx, CareQuest Institute’s grants management system, to managing the budget.
When she’s not working to support CareQuest Institute’s grantees or supporting the Philanthropy team with administration work, she is spending time with the people she loves. Her nieces and nephew are her favorite people, and she spends as much time as she can with them. When her husband has free time, she and he love to spend their time golfing and exploring new restaurants in Omaha or taking their pup, Beau, on a long walk together.
What drew you to work at CareQuest Institute?
“I was drawn to CareQuest Institute because after working in the nonprofit space for six years, I wanted to work for an organization with a focus on systems change philanthropy.”
To learn more about CareQuest Institute’s Philanthropy team’s ongoing work, go to carequest.org/grantmaking.