Healthy Start Coalition of Orange County – Executive Director
Thelisha Thomas is the Executive Director for the Healthy Start Coalition in Orange County. Ms. Thomas assumed the role as Director August 2021. Her prior experience was as the Executive Director for Seminole County. Both organizations provide a system of care for maternal and child health. Thelisha believes that the assistance we provide today will have long – lasting effects for generations to come. Thelisha worked at/with the Coalition in Seminole from 2014 until August 2021.
Thelisha holds a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work from the University of Arkansas – Fayetteville and a Master’s in Public Administration from Barry University – Miami. Prior to Healthy Start, Thelisha was the Director of the Child Development Center and Adjunct Professor at the College of Central Florida. Thelisha’ s experience spans over both public/private sector; as well as profit/nonprofit. Thelisha collectively has over 15 years in social services. This includes Director for Community Base Care for Camelot – with Kids Central Inc., District Licensing Supervisor for Child Care and Supervisor for Protective Services. As well as running her own APD agency, Nadiya’s House.
She is a member of: Advent Health Community Advisory Council, Florida Public Health Association, Board member for Heroes 4 Babies, My Brother’s Keeper Advisory Council for Sanford, Secretary for the Midway Safe Harbor Advisory Committee, Pop Warner Football Association -Sanford Seminoles Board – past three years, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority.
Above all else…she’s Malik’s mom! Her greatest accomplishment and his number one FAN!