Rosa Novo is the Administrative Benefits Director for Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS), the third-largest school district in the United States. With 40 years of dedicated service, she has led the development and implementation of strategic health solutions, negotiated and managed benefit contracts, and created the district’s award-winning wellness program, Well Way.

Mrs. Novo holds a Bachelor of Science in Health Services Administration from Barry University. She has been a member of the Florida Health Care Coalition since 2008 and currently serves as the Board Chair. Her leadership extends to several key organizations: she has served as an Advisory Board Member of the Florida School Retiree Benefits Consortium, is an active participant in the District’s Wellness Committee, and is a member of the Health Promotion & Disease Prevention Committee and the Consortium for a Healthier Miami-Dade. Additionally, she contributes her expertise to the Health Disparity Advisory Council and the National Purchaser Alliance for Healthcare Coalition, among other professional associations and consortia.

Mrs. Novo oversees the administration of the district’s self-insured healthcare plan, the second largest expenditure within M-DCPS. The plan provides coverage for approximately 46,000 individuals, including 32,000 employees and their dependents as well as 9,241 retirees and their dependents, at an annual cost of $447 million.

Driven by a deep commitment to serving the members she represents, Mrs. Novo is known for balancing high-quality healthcare offerings with long-term financial sustainability. Her holistic approach to wellness emphasizes stress management, sustainable health initiatives, and empowering employees through education, encouraging small changes that lead to meaningful outcomes.

In recent years, Mrs. Novo has further devoted herself to increasing awareness about mental health, advocating for transformative changes in how services are delivered. Her personal mission is to improve outcomes, reduce costs, and enhance overall employee wellbeing across the district.