Tessa Galloso has served as the Health Policy Associate for Texans Care for Children since March 2026. In that role, Tessa advocates for state policies that improve access to Early Childhood Intervention (ECI) and health coverage as well as other policies to support healthy Texans. Tessa joined Texans Care for Children in 2025 as the Policy Fellow for Mental Health.
Prior to joining Texans Care for Children, Tessa interned at Children at Risk, where she worked on research and advocacy efforts addressing food insecurity, mental health access, and child care deserts in Harris County. Tessa also has experience in health policy education, having served as an Instructional Support Specialist at The University of Texas at Austin, where she co-managed curriculum development and lectures for a senior-level health policy course. Her background also includes work in therapeutic interventions for children who have experienced trauma, human resources, and health care administration, giving her a strong foundation in the intersection of equity, policy, and operations in health care. Driven by a commitment to equity and access, Tessa is passionate about using policy to address health disparities and create meaningful change for Texas children and families.
Tessa earned her Master of Public Health from The University of Texas Health Science Center, with an emphasis in Healthcare Administration, and holds a B.S. in Advanced Human Development and Family Sciences from The University of Texas at Austin.
In her free time, Tessa loves to try Austin’s many restaurants, watch movies and musicals, and spend time with friends walking around Lady Bird Lake.
