Bosses for Babies

How This Boss Makes an Impact for Children in Florida

It is the mission of the Tampa JCCs & Federation (TJCCF) to strengthen the health, education, and welfare of their community, and in that spirit they are dedicated to offering family-friendly programming. Offerings include preschools, summer camps, afterschool programs, fitness and aquatics, arts and culture programs, and a large range of other activities that provide a sense of community and belonging for people of all ages and from all backgrounds.

TJCCF offers a variety of support options for employees and their families including a comprehensive paid leave policy, maternity leave for new births and adoptions, and accommodations for various significant family events. In addition, they offer paid time off, holiday leave, observance of Jewish religious days, and sick and bereavement leave. Employees also have access to significant discounts for youth education and recreational programs such as preschool and summer camps.

Health and wellness are top priorities at TJCCF, and those priorities extend not only to the community members that the organization serves, but also to employees and their families as well. To that end, employee benefit packages include a range of health plans covering medical, dental, vision, life insurance, long-term disability as well as perks like complimentary gym and fitness memberships and the flexibility to exercise while working.

Mark and the TJCCF are dedicated to the health and well-being of employees and their families, and that dedication is reflected every day in their family-friendly policies and culture.

Bio

Mark Gesner, Ph.D., serves as the Maureen and Douglas Cohn Executive Director of the Tampa JCCs. Prior to his current role, Mark spent 16 years working in higher education, first as a business professor, than an Innovation Hub Executive Director, and most recently as the Vice President for Community Engagement, Innovation & Communications at Saint Leo University. Along the way, he co-founded and led a social enterprise accelerator for nonprofit leaders, produced a statewide TV show for entrepreneurs, hosted a long-standing Mission-Driven Leader series, and served on various nonprofit, chamber, and economic development boards of directors. Prior to higher ed, Mark managed youth hostels on the local, regional, and national level, beginning with managing the Martha’s Vineyard Hostel, then directing urban and rural hostels in New England and the U.S. East Coast, and eventually serving as Hostelling International – USA’s national Director of Education and Development.  Mark is an avid traveler and has presented internationally about leadership, social enterprise, and civic engagement. He is the co-author of the book, Your Life is Your Message: Discovering the Core of Transformational Leadership.