Tessa Mork

Tessa Mork's work experience includes various roles at the YMCA of Metropolitan Washington. From 2016 to the present, they have served as the Association Director of Community Health, overseeing the vision, strategy, and funding of the Community Health Department. In this role, they support branches in providing sustainable and equitable solutions that meet the health needs of each service area.

Prior to this, Tessa held the position of Director of Food and Nutrition Programs from 2019 to 2022. Tessa managed a team of nutrition educators to implement culturally competent SNAP-ED culinary and nutrition education programs. Tessa also increased class offerings in the YMCA Anthony Bowen's Teaching Kitchen and managed the implementation of a USDA Community Food Project grant.

From 2016 to 2019, Tessa was the Nutrition Education Program Manager. Tessa managed the implementation of a USDA Community Food Project grant aimed at increasing health outcomes and food access for residents of Southeast D.C. Tessa also worked to improve economic stability for small mid-Atlantic farmers and build a community around healthy eating.

Prior to these roles, Tessa worked as a Food and Nutrition Educator in 2015. In this role, they encouraged the practice of healthy eating and nutrition education through cooking demonstrations and classes. Tessa also assisted in the creation and implementation of a bilingual HEPA curriculum and co-taught nutrition education and cooking classes for senior citizens and middle school students.

Tessa Mork has a Master of Public Health (MPH) degree with a focus on Food Systems and Obesity from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Tessa also holds a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Behavioral and Community Health from the University of Maryland. In addition, Tessa had a brief educational experience at Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso. Tessa has obtained certifications as a Certified Professional Food Manager from ServSafe Certified and as a CHES (Certified Health Education Specialist) from the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, Inc. Tessa also holds a certification as a Y-DPP Lifestyle Coach from the YMCA of the USA.