Marissa Haugh

For Marissa Haugh, life has been about weaving education, service, and health into a meaningful path. With roots in early childhood development and fitness coaching, she has devoted herself to helping others in many stages of life. Living in Oceanport, New Jersey, she has taken the knowledge she gained through years of academic study and professional practice and applied it in ways that bring care, guidance, and encouragement to children, families, and individuals seeking better health. Her educational background reflects her strong drive to learn. After high school, Marissa pursued a Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Studies at the University of Rhode Island. The program gave her valuable insight into how people grow and adapt within the context of family and society. She later added a creative element to her studies by completing a Certificate in Fine Arts and Foundation from Parsons’ School of Design in 2001. Two years later, she earned a Master of Science in Child Life at Bank Street College, strengthening her skills to support children in healthcare and emotional development. These experiences combined the creative and scientific, helping her approach her work with empathy and structure. Her career began during college, where she worked directly with children. She first gained experience as a day care leader and later became a caseworker for Talbot Perkins Children’s Services in Brooklyn, an organization focused on adoption and foster care. These roles exposed her to the challenges faced by vulnerable children and the importance of stability and support. Soon after, she served as Lead Camp Counselor at Epiphany Nursery School Camp, where she guided classroom activities and designed art and cooking projects for children, further developing her leadership skills.