Bio: A college class on the civil rights movement of the 1960s sparked Tanya Dorf Brunner’s interest in helping others.

“That made me start to understand that there were important things out there to advocate for,” she said.

Dorf Brunner became the executive director of Oral Health Kansas on May 11. The 200-member organization aims to improve Kansans’ oral health.

Before joining the organization, she was the executive director of Independence, Inc. in Lawrence, and also worked as a chief of staff and director of legislative affairs for the Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services. She was also the director of training and communications for InterHab, a resources network for organizations that provide services to the developmentally disabled.

Her work with disabled people, she said, was a direct result of that college history class.

“That’s how I came to the disabilities movement, and I’ve really considered myself to be part of that movement until now,” she said. “Part of what made me interested in this particular job (at Oral Health Kansas) is that one of the largest unserved populations for oral health services is people with disabilities. That’s certainly not our primary focus, but one of our focuses.”

Dorf Brunner was born May 17, 1970. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Bethany College and a master’s degree in management from Baker University.

In 2006, she ran for the Kansas Legislature as a Democrat for the 54th District House seat, but was defeated by current Rep. Joe Patton, a Republican.

Dorf Brunner lives in Topeka with her husband, Scott Brunner, chief financial officer of the Kansas Health Policy Authority, and three stepsons.

Interconnects: Dorf Brunner volunteers with the Topeka Civic Theatre and a local Cub Scout troop. She also has been involved with the Topeka Evening Sertoma Club, and is a board member of the First Nonprofit Unemployment Insurance Company in Chicago.

Contact: Phone: (785) 235-6039

Mail: 800 SW Jackson, Ste. 1120, Topeka, KS 66612

E-Mail: tdorf@oralhealthkansas.org