Photo caption: Anjie Vannoy walks with 90 fellow Cambia employees at March for Babies 2018
This post is the part of a series that highlights Cambia’s innovative Executive Board Placement program. The program is run by the Corporate Social Responsibility team and the goal is to place senior-level employees at Cambia with nonprofit organizations to serve on their boards. Cambia was founded on the principle of “neighbor helping neighbor” and this program promotes employee volunteerism and helps build healthier communities.
Most people have heard of the March of Dimes, but many don’t realize that the organization was originally founded by President Franklin D. Roosevelt as the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis and was created to combat the growing Polio epidemic. Once that mission was accomplished, the March of Dimes pivoted to improving the health of all babies and reducing pre-term rates through research, advocacy, and education. Anjie Vannoy, Vice President, Finance and Controller at Cambia Health Solutions, is currently serving as the Oregon and SW Washington chapter’s chairperson.
Why did you get involved in the March of Dimes?
Anjie: I’ve had the opportunity to serve on other non-profit boards. However, after having my second daughter and taking time away from serving on a board, I decided I wanted to channel my energies toward an organization that was focused around helping children. In addition, the ability of the March of Dimes to have an impact at the local, national and international levels was very important to me.
What do you do as a board member?
Anjie: This is my sixth year working with the Greater Oregon and SW Washington chapter of the March of Dimes and my third year serving as chairperson. A great deal of my time is spent on our fundraising events including the annual March for Babies and the Signature Chefs Auction. The organization is also undergoing a variety of changes. The March of Dimes is over 80 years old and as the landscape, for philanthropic giving shifts we are developing a new mission statement and brand that works more closely with large corporations.
Have there been any projects that you’ve been able to help drive?
Anjie: Every year, the March of Dimes presents the Nurse of the Year award across 17 specific health categories. Cambia is the sponsor for the palliative care nursing award and I’ve been fortunate enough to help support that award. The nurses in our communities do incredible work and I’m honored to be part of an award program that recognizes their amazing accomplishments.
Have you seen the impact that the organization’s work is having on the community?
Anjie: The overall goal of the March of Dimes is to reduce the risk of pre-term births. One example in our local chapter is the work we are doing with the Tribal Pregnancy Health Summit to examine and help reduce the number of pre-term births in the Native American community. This is a multi-year project where we work with the tribal health board to understand their unique needs and support their cultural background while helping reduce premature births.
What does it mean to have Cambia support your volunteerism?
Anjie: I believe that corporations have a responsibility to give back to their communities. The Cambia board placement program is a unique initiative that gives employees the time and, when needed, the resources to strengthen their communities. I appreciate the hard work that the board placement team does to match employees with non-profit organizations that best support their personal interests.
For more information about the Executive Board Placement program, please contact Alison Arella at (503) 414-7849 or via email at alison.arella@cambiahealth.com.
