Our Current CDC Leadership Team

Class of 2027

Aly Kong

“What drew me to dentistry in the first place was my desire to make immediate, positive change for others, especially for those who lack access to resources. Dentistry to me is an instrument for empowerment. A dentist exercises control but in a way that also returns it forward. CDC allows me to explore my purpose and my passion for both dentistry and community health even as a dental student. As a part of this amazing organization, I hope to make a positive impact on the SF community.”

Eric Lin

“My interest in community dentistry motivated me to be a part of CDC. My previous experiences working at a nonprofit dental organization showed me firsthand the barriers that limited dental care access to many communities. After listening to the stories of the individuals I have served, I aspire to be a dentist who breaks down obstacles, and CDC enables me to make an impact earlier as a dental student.”

Celine Ngo

“After volunteering on a service trip to Vietnam and working as a treatment coordinator in private practice, I quickly learned that the barriers to care, notably cost, were not so different abroad and at home. I joined CDC to learn how to not only tackle these disparities through continuity of care and community dentistry, but also serve and empower members of vulnerable populations—whether it is through education or culturally-competent care.”

Tony (Tiange) qu

“Growing up, I saw firsthand how financial and educational barriers kept my community from accessing essential dental care. Now, at the CDC, I have the opportunity to help bridge that gap and support those in need—a mission I am deeply honored to contribute to.”

Madelyn yeh

“Volunteering at and organizing free healthcare clinics in Seattle has shown me the barriers many face in accessing dental care, whether that be financial strain, transportation challenges, or limited resources. I joined CDC because of our team's commitment to providing 100% free, compassionate care to those in need. As a fully student-run clinic, we’re making a direct impact on our community, transforming lives, and bridging critical gaps in access to dental care. I’m incredibly proud to be part of such a driven team and will carrying my experiences into my future as a clinician.”

Ana paula lopez

“Having served for free dental clinics for Bay Area residents in the past demonstrated the importance of increased accessibility to dental care. I am a strong believer that CDC allows us to provide members of the surrounding community with high quality dental care they would be unable to obtain otherwise. The work CDC has done throughout the years, made me want to contribute to this wonderful clinic and serve as a helping hand to the community. As part of CDC, I want to help bridge disparities in healthcare and provide comfort to the San Francisco community.”

isabel angela mangoba

“As a volunteer for a community clinic at UC Davis, I witnessed firsthand the barriers to healthcare that our patients faced and developed a deep passion for community health and advocating for health equity. CDC allows a space for marginalized populations within the SF community to receive accessible oral health care and find their dental home. Now that I have come to understand the systemic disparities that exist in health care, I am motivated to leverage my position as a dental student to address and bridge these gaps in as a part of CDC. CDC has given me the privilege of contributing to accessible, culturally humble dentistry and hearing the stories of underserved communities, and I know I will carry everything I have learned in CDC thus far with me as I grow into the health professional I aspire to be :)”

Elena Sacchetti

“Through my community involvement, it has become evident to me that a person’s oral health is inseparable from their financial situation. I believe all people deserve to live healthy, pain-free lives, regardless of their financial status. As part of CDC, I can work to make this a reality by helping underserved communities of San Francisco gain and maintain access to compassionate dental care.”

AlEsha Harris

“With 8 years in the U.S. Public Health Service and experience volunteering with several Remote Area Medical (RAM) events, I am deeply committed to serving those in need. Those exposures inspired me to undergo a career change and apply to Dental School. Witnessing firsthand the healthcare disparities that impact underserved communities has fueled my dedication to closing this gap. Joining the Community Dental Clinic allows me to bring my skills and passion for equitable care to a team that shares my mission. I am honored to contribute to this work and help make a positive impact on community health.”

mia Espinoza

“I had the opportunity to work at a FQHC as a pre-dental student, where I saw firsthand how access to dental care impacts mental, physical, and cultural wellbeing. My time at the clinic was personally rewarding as I developed close relationships with patients and families coming in for dental care. Connecting with patients from my community solidified my goal of working in public health dentistry. CDC bridges the gap to accessible care and contributes to improved oral health outcomes for diverse patient populations. As a CDC Coordinator, I am excited to continue building the skills and experiences that will allow me to better serve the oral health needs of the community members who need it most.”

Grace Nguyen

“From an early age, I recognized health disparities in my hometown and felt motivated to change this because healthcare services are a human right that should not be determined by socioeconomic status. Volunteering at a community health center in LA showed me the necessity of increasing access to quality dental care, education, and preventive services for populations in need. I am thrilled to continue this work during dental school with the amazing team at CDC and help provide exceptional, free care to our patients.”

Millie hernandez

“My personal and professional mission is to improve lives with a holistic understanding of patient circumstances within the context of oppressive systems that disproportionately harm marginalized communities. I joined CDC to practice this mission and learn more about what it takes to assist patients in navigating and dismantling barriers in access to dental care to lead long and healthy lives.”

Connie Shen

“CDC is a meaningful organization to me because it offers opportunities to provide care that has an immediate and tangible impact through direct, student-led service. Through CDC, I can work directly with underserved communities to help address gaps in access to healthcare caused by systemic barriers. Working within CDC grounds my passion for dentistry in service and a commitment to making a positive impact. I am excited to be a part of a compassionate team that shares similar goals. The lessons I learn through CDC will continue to shape how I serve my patients as a clinician in the future.”

Cecilia hurlbert

“One of my biggest motivations for pursuing a career in dentistry is to help eliminate barriers for patients without access to reliable, comprehensive oral healthcare. One of my first professional experiences in the dental field led me to work directly with patients burdened by healthcare costs, travel distances, disabilities, and language barriers that made receiving dental care almost impossible. Eliminating pain, restoring function, and inspiring confidence through dental restorations can dramatically improve a patient's quality of life. Everyone deserves access to quality oral healthcare, and CDC gives us the opportunity to make that goal a reality for our Bay Area community.”

Maulik Ahuja

“As a lifelong Bay Area resident, I've always felt a deep connection to our community. My experience volunteering at pro bono dental clinics abroad showed me firsthand how financial barriers prevent people from accessing the oral healthcare they deserve. I joined CDC because I'm passionate about serving the community that raised me and helping to ensure that everyone, regardless of their socioeconomic position, can receive quality dental care. I'm honored and excited to contribute to breaking down these barriers and supporting those in need.”

Verina atallah

Kaylie Nguyen

“In my experience volunteering with underserved communities, I saw how transformative access to dental care and oral health education could be. I also became more aware of the cultural, language and socioeconomic barriers that prevent many individuals from receiving care that could significantly improve their quality of life. These experiences reinforced my commitment to making dental care more accessible, and to finding more ways to give back as I advance in my dental training. I’m excited to be a part of CDC, where I can serve my local community while growing as a compassionate and capable dental provider.”

Allison Lee

“Having had my own dental experiences in a community dental clinic, I have always wanted to carry forward the same sense of empowerment and compassion that healthcare providers showed to both my community and me. Access to dental care is a fundamental barrier within primary healthcare, and being able to address this barrier is an honor and a responsibility that motivates me to serve with empathy and purpose.”

Arianna Buchanan

“My interest in community dentistry developed during undergrad as a Sociology major, where a course on immigration and health highlighted the barriers many communities face in accessing oral care. That perspective grew through volunteering at a non-profit pediatric dental clinic, where I saw how limited access to dental care affects quality of life. These experiences shaped my commitment to serving the community and addressing oral health disparities. I am honored to be part of the CDC team and provide empathetic care!”

Annette Fishman

“Coming from a family that emigrated from the former Soviet Union, I witnessed firsthand how language barriers and struggles with health insurance limit access to care and affect long-term health. These experiences continue to shape my lifelong commitment to serving vulnerable communities and align strongly with CDC’s mission to expand accessible dental care to our community in San Francisco. I am honored to be a part of this team during dental school to combine clinical skill with empathy, advocacy, and human connection to ensure all patients feel seen, heard, and cared for.”

Leena Osman

“My background in Public Health research has fostered my interest in community dentistry and how the model serves to alleviate oral health disparities within the populations being treated. I joined CDC to exercise my passion for helping underserved communities access quality care, as well as enhance patient experiences by leading with cultural humility and an understanding of the barriers they may face when accessing oral health care.”

Class of 2026

Danika Banh - Co-Director
Tiffany Yu - Co-Director
Bianca Romana - EpiC Coordinator
Joseph Kazancioglu - EpiC Coordinator
Ashley Wang - Treasurer
Vy Tran - Supplies Coordinator Caroline Chen - Patient Coordinator Jihee Yoon - Secretary

Class of 2025

Ingrid Chai - Director
Susu Le - Co-Director
Angela Lee - EpiC Coordinator
Isabelle Tseng - EpiC Coordinator
Ryan Wilson - Treasurer
Jacqueline Ong - Supplies Coordinator Edwin Calzada Nguyen - Patient Coordinator

Class of 2024

Danny Do - Co-Director
Tiff Trat - Co-Director
Stephanie Cho - Project Manager
Wonhee Cho - Axium Coordinator
Rose Hinson - Patient Coordinator
Kairong Lin - Supplies Coordinator
Carolyn Nguyen - Secretary
Stanley Onuegbu - Treasurer

Class of 2023

Alejandra Saenz - Co-Director
Ellysha Sunga - Co-Director
Shreya Shah - Project Manager
Joanna Chua - Secretary
Tiffany Huang - Axium Coordinator
Hanna Nguyen - Faculty Coordinator
Cinthya Tovar - Patient Coordinator
Luan Tran - Treasurer

Class of 2022

Lori Martinez-Rubio - Co-Director
Austen Lucena - Co-Director
Marvin Chen - Project Manager
Theresa Bui - Faculty Coordinator
Camille Loria - Supplies Coordinator
April Martinez - Patient Coordinator
Guadalupe Quintero - Supplies Coordinator

Class of 2021

Amelia Herrera - Co-Director
Kevin Hildebrandt - Co-Director
Lincoln Nguyen - Project Manager
Navi Dhillon - Supplies Coordinator
Kelly Mika Katsura - Faculty Coordinator
Lisa Ngo - Axium Coordinator
Stephanie Shimizu - Secretary

Class of 2020

Angela Chen - Director
Brett Parks - Assistant Director
Avigael Rebecca Lerman - Supplies Coordinator
Michael Nguyen - Treasurer
Victoria Nguyen - Supplies Coordinator
Semantha Yu - Faculty Coordinator

Class of 2019

Arvin Pal - Director
Jaime Chung - Secretary
Jennifer Hofmann - Patient Coordinator
Juliana Ko - Treasurer
Alexander Romash - Supplies Coordinator
Catherine Tang - Supplies Coordinator
Emily Yang - Faculty Coordinator

Class of 2018

Keely Walgama - Director
Mitch Carey - Supplies Coordinator
Tiffany Cheung - Patient Coordinator
Dean Gretzinger - Treasurer
Kyle Kitasoe - Supplies Coordinator
Amin Sarraf - Faculty Coordinator
Valerie Torricos - Secretary

Class of 2017

Caitlyn McGue - Director
Jeff Delagadillo - Treasurer
Brian Lee - Faculty Coordinator
Jasmine Manubay - Axium Coordinator
Jeffrey Pronillof - Supplies Coordinator
Sepi Shafa - Supplies Coordinator
Ruth Yan - Patient Coordinator

Class of 2016

Valentina Zahran - Director
Amin Abdallah - Axium Coordinator
Steven LeRoy - Treasurer
Mindy Li - Faculty Coordinator
Tessa Miller - Secretary
Chris Traxler - Supplies Coordinator
Ricky Vargas - Supplies Coordinator

Class of 2015

Heather Wong - Director
Ozzy Amezcua - Supplies Coordinator
Crystal Chang - Patient Coordinator
Michael Hong - Treasurer
Chris Taehyun Kim - Axium Coordinator
Alexa Navasero - Secretary
Garrett Rubio - Supplies Coordinator

Class of 2014

Ryan Ray Dela Cruz - Director
Pamela Bui - Supplies Coordinator
Kevin McKinney - Axium Coordinator
Jenny Neglerio - Secretary
Alison Parker-Cole - Supplies Coordinator
Dmitriy Pivnik - Treasurer
Stephanie Purnomo - Patient Coordinator

Previous Alumni

Learn more about some of our previous alumni on our alumni interviews page.