Celebrating Success: CPCA Staff Achievements and New Additions to the Team

CPCA is thrilled to announce the recent achievements of our staff, as well as introduce some new additions to our organization! It is with great pride that we highlight the dedication and hard work of our team members, who have gone above and beyond to further the mission of improving the health of California's diverse communities.

CPCA's Trailblazing Leaders Earn Prestigious Awards for Outstanding Achievements

CPCA’s President and CEO, Francisco J. Silva, Receives the Latino Change Maker Award

On March 22, 2023, CPCA's President and CEO, Francisco J. Silva, accepted The Sacramento Bee Equity Lab’s Top 25 Latino Change Makers award! The award recognizes leaders who are advancing change within their communities. Francisco was recognized for his dedication to driving policy that benefits the health of California’s diverse communities.

Joining him at the award ceremony were his family and staff: Ginger Smith, Dennis Cuevas Romero, Victor Christy, and Becky Paplanus. Congratulations Francisco! Watch his full interview with the Sacramento Bee HERE.

Director of Health Center Operations, Nataly Diaz, is Selected for an Emerging Leader Award

At the National Association of Community Health Center’s P&I Conference in March 2023, CPCA’s Director of Health Center Operations, Nataly Diaz, was honored with the prestigious Geiger Gibson’s 2023 Emerging Leader Award in recognition of her work to strengthen and diversify the workforce of California’s community health centers. Nataly’s dedication to the health center movement is admirable and we are proud to have her on the CPCA team!

Sonja Spowart, Chief Financial Officer, is Named a Chief Financial Officer of the Year

CPCA’s very own Sonja Spowart was awarded CFO of the Year by the Sacramento Business Journal! This recognition is a testament to her hard work, dedication, and outstanding leadership. Sonja has been an integral part of CPCA's success, driving growth and innovation while maintaining a strong focus on financial sustainability. Her strategic thinking and financial expertise have helped position CPCA as a leader in the state's healthcare landscape, and her contributions have been invaluable to the organization's mission of providing quality care to California's diverse communities.

Tiffany Ruvalcaba Receives Higher Logic’s Industry Innovator Award

Tiffany Ruvalcaba, Assistant Director of Learning & Innovation, has been selected for the Industry Innovator award by Higher Logic! Over the past three years, Tiffany has done an incredible job leading and growing our Connected Community platform, which provides a space for our members to engage in peer-to-peer discussions and access important resources. With Tiffany's leadership and vision, Connected Community has become an invaluable member benefit. Congratulations Tiffany!

Hortencia Avila Lopez, Associate Director of Finance: Hortencia joined the team in February 2023 and works with the Finance Department on all things grant-related. Her responsibilities include general accounting and administrative functions related to local, state, and federal grants; contracts; restricted contributions (in accordance with contract and regulatory compliance); and assisting with financial reporting, grant budgeting, and audit prep. Hortencia has over four years of experience in the healthcare finance field. Throughout that time, she gained exposure to federally funded programs such as the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program and the 340B Drug Discount Program.

Katie Cappello, Assistant Director of Marketing and Communications: Katie joined CPCA in February 2023 and oversees the association’s marketing and communications efforts. We are thrilled to have Katie on staff to support all things marketing and communications – including overall strategy development and implementation, writing and copyediting, overseeing CPCA’s e-marketing campaigns, website content and microsite development, and publications (including our Annual Report), as well as the development and execution of marketing materials, collateral, and messaging as needed. Katie brings a wealth of knowledge with her, as she formerly worked at the California Assisted Living Association for over 13 years, most recently serving as the Director of Communications.

Shelby Toth, Senior Administrative Assistant: Shelby has more than six years of administrative and customer service experience, and most recently worked as an Administrative Assistant for the Sacramento Native American Health Center (SNAHC). Before her time at SNAHC, she worked as both a receptionist and as an accounting technician for the California Hispanic Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse. In her new role as Senior Administrative Assistant at CPCA, Shelby will support internal operational activities and external membership outreach. She will also assist with training efforts and will serve as webinar support back-up for all departments.

Steve Robinson-Burmester, Controller: Steve has worked in non-profit accounting management for the past thirty-two years, first for twenty-five years with Paratransit, Inc. and more recently for Service Employees International for the past six years. He is passionate about the healthcare space as an advocate and leader for corporate wellness for the past fifteen years. Steve was an honoree for CFO of the year in 2015 by the Sacramento Business Journal and is on the board for Financial Executives International as the professional development chair. Steve is excited to work in support of California community health centers that provide such a critical service to so many in our state. 

CPCA has Selected our New Associate Director of Member Engagement, Elle Grant!

CPCA is overjoyed to announce that Elle Grant is our new Associate Director of Member Engagement! Elle has been with CPCA for nearly four years serving as a Program Coordinator and then as a Senior Program Coordinator for the Health Center Operations team. She has not only served as a content expert in the health center licensing and OSHPD 3 space but has also contributed to our Member Ambassador program and conducted a technical assistance tracking pilot. As the Associate Director of Member Engagement, Elle will focus on membership recruitment, retention, and engagement efforts; and will assume responsibility over the Member Ambassador Program, the membership satisfaction survey, and technical assistance tracking – among other activities.