Our Staff

Vanetta Abdellatif

President and CEO

Equity and systems changes are essential to eliminate disparities in care. Vanetta Abdellatif has dedicated her career to improve health outcomes for people who face the greatest barriers to care. She leads Arcora Foundation’s efforts to center our work in equity to achieve good oral health for all.

Solve big problems together. 

Vanetta believes strong partnerships advance health equity. Through her strategic leadership, she connects Arcora with partners and community members who are interested in oral health, as well as looks for opportunities to form new partnerships. Her goal is to foster authentic, engaged, and frequent conversations with partners and collaborate on meaningful efforts toward improved health outcomes. In leading Arcora’s team of more than 25 staff, she cultivates an environment where everyone can do their best work and trust their ideas. 

“Good health starts with the individual. If we have ways to influence it with our resources—time, money, and attention—we’ll be able to move mountains.” 

Highlights of accomplishments at Arcora under Vanetta’s leadership:   

• Began formal partnership between Arcora’s DentistLink program and the Washington State Health Care Authority in 2021 to increase the number of Apple Health (Medicaid) enrollees accessing dental care. 
• Expanded the Access to Baby and Child Dentistry program in 2021 to serve children with developmental disabilities through age 12. 
• Served more than 1,300 patients in 2021 on our SmileMobile—our three-chair mobile dental clinic that increases access to care for underserved communities. 
• Led creation of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Board Committee to ensure equity is included in Foundation’s work. The National Association of Corporate Directors recognized the Board’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion by naming the Board a finalist for the 2021 DE&I awards. 

Dedication to serving others. 

Vanetta has dedicated her entire career to health care and public health. Since beginning her higher education, she’s been passionate about health equity and is proud to work in a space where Black women are not often represented. Her deep experience on the delivery side of medical services has empowered her to act as an ambassador to bridge oral and overall health. 

Prior to joining Arcora Foundation, Vanetta was CEO of the Multnomah County (Oregon) Health Department’s Community Health Centers Program, a large Federally Qualified Health Center that served more than 66,000 people at 18 locations annually. Throughout her career, she has held various leadership roles in health care delivery and administration and continues to serve on boards focused on improving health outcomes for all. 

Vanetta earned a Bachelor of Arts in social welfare from the University of California, Berkeley, and a Master of Public Health from San Diego State University. In her free time, Vanetta enjoys Zumba, interior design, and exploring Washington state with her family.