Trenae Simpson

Trenae Simpson

Trenae Simpson serves as the director of grants and programs for CareQuest Institute for Oral Health. In this role, Trenae implements a national, state and local grantmaking strategy focused on social justice, equity and community engagement to advance better health through oral health. Trenae works closely with grantees to provide strategic guidance, capacity-building opportunities and targeted learning focused on health equity and social justice.

Before joining CareQuest Institute, Trenae served as a research assistant at the Boston College Center for Corporate Citizenship, a membership organization that provides professional development opportunities and knowledge resources for corporate citizenship practitioners.

Trenae earned a bachelor’s degree from Harvard University and a master of business administration degree from the Carroll School of Management at Boston College.

Elevating Community Voice in Grantmaking

Community voice is vital in philanthropic efforts. It highlights the poor outcomes when the process of developing solutions excludes the very population at the center of the intended impact — and why it is critical to engage the community meaningfully from the onset and throughout the process.