Kety Rosario
Kety Rosario is a dedicated public health professional and grants management expert with a PhD in Health Psychology. Her passion for health and wellness stems from her early experiences growing up in the Dominican Republic, where she witnessed the devastating effects of preventable diseases on children. This early exposure inspired her to pursue medical studies abroad before continuing her education in the United States, earning a Master of Public Health and ultimately completing her doctoral research on the impact of nutrition and non-communicable diseases among older Latino adults. Kety combines her academic expertise with over a decade of professional experience in health, nutrition, and community advocacy.
Currently, Kety serves as a Grants Program Management Officer at the New Jersey State Department of Labor, where she ensures federal and state funding compliance and guides organizations in effective grant administration. She also contributes to higher education as an adjunct professor at Kean University, integrating real-world experiences into her teaching on public health, environmental sustainability, and current affairs. Alongside her professional roles, Kety has built a career as an integrative nutrition health coach and professional Spanish interpreter, supporting individuals and communities in achieving optimal health and wellness.
Throughout her career, Kety has been deeply committed to advocacy, particularly for Latino and immigrant communities in New Jersey. She has leveraged her expertise to empower families, promote bilingual education, and raise awareness of public health challenges. Recognized for her contributions—including awards from state leaders—she continues to focus on research, teaching, and community engagement, aiming to create meaningful, lasting impact on health outcomes and social equity.
• Board Certified Drugless Practitioner
• North Central University (NCU) - PhD
• Award from Governor Jon Corzine
• Healthy New Jersey 2030 Committee
• Montclair School Distric PTA Council
What do you attribute your success to?
I came to this country at fifteen years old as an immigrant who didn't speak the language, and I had to work harder than my fellows, colleagues, and classmates because of that language barrier. Looking back at who I was when I first migrated to this country, being able to communicate in English now and reach this point professionally is, for me, one of my biggest successes. I came from a boarding school in the Dominican Republic and attended Eastside High School in Paterson, which was the first graduating class for Joe Clark, the famous high school principal they even made a film about. It was a very rough transition during those formative years. But I'm a life learner - I love knowledge and I love learning. Having come this far from where I started is, for me, the biggest success of all. I've worked very hard to reach where I am, and I had to work harder than many others because of the language barrier, but that determination and commitment to education has been what carried me through.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
One of my college advisors told me something that has always resonated with me, especially when I'm feeling down: 'Wow, Kety, you're a woman, Latina, and with a degree in the environmental field, you're gonna kill it. Because there's not that many in the industry.' That advice has stuck with me throughout my career. Later, when I was working professionally at Deloitte, I had several mentors and sponsors who talked a lot about imposter syndrome, especially for women of color professionals. They helped me understand that if I was invited to be at the table and be in the room, it's okay for me to have an opinion and to state it. Someone early in my career also told me not to be a wallflower, and whenever I find myself being a wallflower and not sharing my opinion, I hear that voice reminding me to be heard.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
The advice I always give to young professionals, especially young people starting out, is that it doesn't matter - time is gonna go by whether you do it or not. So just go to school. If you need to take one class at a time, just do it. Time is gonna go by anyway, so you might as well be working toward your goals. Don't let the passage of time or the pace of your progress discourage you from pursuing your education and your dreams.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Stigma of public health in minority communities/ burnout/ Lack of minority representation within public health and education
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Overcoming imposter syndrome - learning that being invited to the table means having the right to voice opinions and contribute.College advisor: "Wow, Kety, you're a woman, Latina, and with degrees in the environmental field, you're gonna kill it. Because there's not that many."