Bosses for Babies

How This Boss Makes an Impact for Children in Florida

Marisa Mowat is a passionate leader championing the well-being of families. With Marisa at the helm, the Healthy Start Coalition of Hillsborough County has committed to improving and increasing access to health education and resources for parents of infants throughout the Hillsborough community. Marisa also established the Coalition’s Family Needs Closet, stocked with essential supplies such as diapers, wipes, baby formula, and hygiene products to ensure families in need have access to basic but vital necessities for their babies.

In addition to the work she does for the community, Marisa works hard to foster a family-first, inclusive environment for her team, setting the standard for family-friendly workplace practices. Under her leadership, the Coalition provides flexible scheduling, generous paid time off, wellness programs, and a commitment to cultural competency, promoting a supportive and balanced environment for all staff. Recognizing the unique challenges faced by working mothers, the Coalition offers designated breastfeeding accommodations, lactation support, and invites mothers returning from leave to join its programs for additional resources and encouragement.

As a working mom, Marisa understands the challenges of juggling family life with a career and is committed to creating an environment where every staff member feels appreciated and supported in balancing their life and career. The Healthy Start Coalition of Hillsborough County believes that supporting families is not only the right thing to do, but necessary to create a committed, productive, and engaged workforce. Through her commitment and compassion, Marisa sets a model for supporting both her team and the broader community. 
 

Bio

Marisa Mowat is a seasoned public health leader with over 20 years of experience dedicated to community and maternal and child health. As the Executive Director of the Healthy Start Coalition of Hillsborough County, she has guided impactful initiatives in program development, health education, healthcare access, adolescent health, child maltreatment prevention, advocacy, and family support. Since joining Healthy Start in 2013, she has championed collaborative efforts to improve health outcomes for families in the community.


Prior to her role at Healthy Start, Marisa spent 12 years at St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital, where she developed and managed programs focused on children's health and advocacy. She also served as an adjunct instructor at the University of South Florida's College of Public Health for three years. Marisa holds an undergraduate degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders and a Master’s in Public Health from the University of South Florida, where she is also pursuing a Doctorate in Public Health with a concentration in Advanced Practice Leadership.