IEHP Foundation recently announced the appointment of Michelle Rai and Gerard V. Tamparong to its Board of Directors, effective immediately. Both individuals bring valuable expertise from their respective fields: Rai in marketing and communications, and Tamparong in financial investment.
The addition of Rai and Tamparong will further enrich the Foundation’s mission to advance Vibrant Health throughout the Inland Empire.
Gerard Tamparong has more than 25 years of experience in institutional investment management and currently serves as Managing Director for Composition Wealth and head of client service of the firm’s institutional investment group. He has overseen portfolios totaling $4 billion, serving clients such as Center for Elders’ Independence (CEI), WISE & Healthy Aging, Victor Valley College and medical clinics in the Inland Empire. A Certified Financial Planner (CFP) and Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), Gerard holds a B.A. in Biology from Loyola Marymount University.
Tamparong shared that serving on the Foundation board aligns with his lifelong aspiration to serve something larger than himself – a calling he’s had since childhood.
“When I think of Vibrant Health, I think about being able to help communities not just live, but flourish,” said Tamparong. “And being able to couple Vibrant Health with an area the size of the Inland Empire gives me great joy.”
Michelle Rai serves as the Chief Communications & Marketing Officer at Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP), where she has led the award-winning communications and marketing team since 2020. With over 20 years of experience in public relations, media relations, and marketing, she previously served as communications department chair, assistant professor and PR director at Pacific Union College. Michelle holds a master’s degree in integrated marketing communication from Golden Gate University.
Although Rai is now serving as board member, she has been involved with the Foundation since its inception, including overseeing the establishment of its name and brand. She recalls why the health plan established the Foundation and its mission.
“Vibrant Health is IEHP’s love letter to the Inland Empire. It’s our promise to stand by our community through thick and thin,” shared Rai. “It is an honor to serve alongside a passionate group of leaders who have dedicated their lives to serving our community.”
Rai replaces IEHP designated member, Chief Medical Officer Dr. Edward Juhn, an inaugural Foundation board member. Dr. Juhn served as a critical voice in helping shape the community impact and grantmaking strategies for IEHP Foundation.
“We are so thankful for Dr. Juhn’s service to the board and Foundation,” said IEHPF Board Vice Chair, Regina Weatherspoon-Bell. “He brought invaluable insight and heart from the perspective of health care quality, which has been instrumental to our work and initiatives.”
Rai and Tamparong join a dynamic and dedicated Board of Directors for IEHP Foundation, including:
- Chair Karen Scott, First 5 San Bernardino, Executive Director
- Vice Chair Regina Weatherspoon-Bell, DVL Project, Founder
- Secretary Josh Candelaria, Viewpoint Advocacy, Principal
- Treasurer Stephen Bennett, Caravanserai Project, Co-Founder
- Conrado Bárzaga, MD, Innercare, Vice-President and Chief Academic Officer, Designated Institutional Official (DIO)
- Andrea Cuellar, Share Our Strength, Senior Program Manager
- Paul Earle, Shiloh Medical Center, Chief Executive Officer
- Geoffrey Leung, MD, Riverside University Health System, Public Health Physician
- Jarrod McNaughton, MBA, FACHE, Inland Empire Health Plan, Chief Executive Officer
IEHP Foundation provides resources and support to strengthen the local leaders and nonprofit organizations that make Inland Empire families healthier. Because when everyone in the Inland Empire lives a full and vibrant life, our region thrives. The addition of these two accomplished leaders will help strengthen the Foundation’s efforts in ensuring the Inland Empire is a healthy and thriving region.