Tanya Dorf Brunner
Executive Director
tdorf@oralhealthkansas.org

Tanya Dorf Brunner most recently served as executive director of Independence, Inc. in Lawrence. Previously, Dorf Brunner worked at the Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services in various positions, including Chief of Staff and Director of Legislative Affairs. She also served as the Director of Training and Communications for InterHab, the resource network for Kansans with disabilities. Tanya earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Bethany College and a master’s degree in management from Baker University. Tanya lives in Topeka with her husband Scott and her stepsons; Ryan, Evan, and Leyton.

Marcia Manter
Community Development Specialist
mmanter@oralhealthkansas.org

Marcia has been working in the area of oral health for 20 years, so she brings with her a wealth of experience. In 1987, Head Start asked Marcia to find ways to halt dental decay in young children. Her work launched several demonstration projects to teach parents and early childhood teachers to care for young children’s teeth and keep them cavity free.

She is truly passionate about the importance of oral health and has continued to work over the course of her career with Head Start, Missouri Coalition for Oral Health and Oral Health Kansas. Her project management roles for OHK include developing community-based prevention programs that utilize Extended Care Permit (ECP) hygienists; creating resources for schools that promote a comprehensive approach to oral health programming; coordinating projects that expand access to care for individuals with special needs, including the developmentally disabled, the elderly and children with special health care needs; attending statewide conferences to promote oral health and coordinating the 5th Annual Oral Health Conference.

A native of Chicago, Marcia graduated from Wittenberg University in Ohio and received her Master of Arts from the University of Illinois in communication. She also has extensive post-graduate work in organizational and community development.

Julie Parnell
Office and Communications Manager
jparnell@oralhealthkansas.org

Julie was born and raised in Topeka, Kansas and is a graduate of Shawnee Heights High School and Washburn University. She graduated from Washburn with a Bachelor’s degree in Corporate Communication in May 2009. Before coming to work for Oral Health Kansas, she worked at Walgreens for 9 years. Julie joined the OHK staff in August 2008 working part time, before coming back full time in March 2009, as the Administrative Assistant. Julie and her husband Mark have one son, Aydin.

Blake Bryant
Communications Intern
bbryant@oralhealthkansas.org

Blake Bryant is a 22-year-old senior from Independence, KS. Blake attends Washburn University and is majoring in Corporate Communications with minors in French and Cultural Leadership. He is vice president of programming and membership development for Sigma Phi Epsilon, as well as a senior fellow in the Leadership Institute. Bryant also is involved in Lambda Pi Eta, Mortar Board, Sagamore Society, Washburn Alumni Association and French Club.

He volunteers with the Easter Seals Capper Foundation, Race against Breast Cancer and Greater Topeka's 20 Under 40 selection committee. Bryant has also volunteered as a student facilitator with the Youth and Women's Empowerment Association. He is a Ruck Leadership Institute scholar and was on the president's honor roll. His work experience as a Psychosocial Rehabilitation Supervisor for three years left him with the knowledge to look past the disorder or the label that clients have and to see them as people first, Blake is focused on being people first.

Bryant will be conducting research, designing and implementing an oral health workshop for children with Autism as well as gathering ideas and producing short articles that will be sent out to partner organizations for publication. Blake likes being outdoors, meeting and speaking with new people, nutrition, acting on stage, and planning events. Blake will be an intern with OHK through May of 2012.