Meet the WIPPS team: Mariana Savela
Tell us a bit about yourself!
I was born and raised in Mexico City and moved to Wisconsin in December 2009. I am H2N’s program coordinator and a Certified Health Navigator. I hold a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and I am Bilingual in English and Spanish. I oversee the grants’ budget. I am proud to lead the H2N project along with many other projects with community organizations.
What do you do at WIPPS?
I lead various H2N projects and a team of 20 people. I oversee the coordination of free pop-up COVID-19 and Influenza clinics, I am a panelist at the weekly Hispanic podcast, I oversee the budget, assuring that expenses are attributed to the correct grants, I identify and address any personnel issues. As a Health Navigator I aid consumers to navigate the complex healthcare systems.
What’s your favorite thing about working at WIPPS?
That I am never bored at work! This project is very dynamic, and the team is always working on different projects. There are so many opportunities to grow the skills people have.
What program/project are you excited about working on in the new year?
The Healthy Living with Diabetes workshops targeted for Hispanic & Hmong communities in their own language.
Do you have any fun hobbies? Anything you’d like to share about yourself? Do you have any pets?
I am the mother of a beautiful 1st grader that I love dearly. I have one cat, one dog. I like to watch comedy and suspense movies. My favorite TV shows are Friends, Dexter, the Nanny, The Adams family.