Florida Chamber Foundation’s Prosperity Initiative Doubles Down on its Zip-Code Level Efforts to Replace Generational Childhood Poverty with Pathways to Prosperity and Self-Sufficiency

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (September 9, 2025) – The Florida Chamber Foundation is expanding its Florida Prosperity Initiative’s efforts to cut Florida childhood poverty in half and today announces that Heather Cogar has been named the Initiative’s Statewide Director of Community Engagement. Cogar brings years of public and private sector experience and has an extensive background in spearheading initiatives that have provided her with a personal connection to helping Floridians overcome economic hardship. 

“Growing up in the challenges of the foster care system, serving as a Deputy Sheriff and running a small business have all taught me that the Florida Prosperity Initiative’s approach is the right one and I’m looking forward to partnering with more and more business and community leaders as we continue to change lives,” said Heather Cogar, Statewide Director of Community Engagement for the Florida Chamber Foundation’s Florida Prosperity Initiative. “Every child deserves the chance to thrive, and by working hand-in-hand with business and community leaders we can remove barriers that hold families back and build a future where opportunity is within reach for all Floridians, regardless of their zip code.” 

In 2016, Mark Wilson, President & CEO of the Florida Chamber of Commerce and Foundation, at the invitation of the Speaker, testified before Congress on the importance of having a targeted approach to breaking the cycle of generational poverty. The Florida Chamber Foundation’s Florida Prosperity Initiative was born out of the fact that focusing the goodness of free enterprise on creating pathways to prosperity is the best way to lead America’s efforts to eradicate generational poverty.  These efforts are amplified through the Florida Prosperity Initiative Zip Code Model, a nationally recognized example for implementing neighborhood solutions for tackling the 10 root causes of poverty. 

“My wife and I have known Heather Cogar for approximately 15 years, and her life experiences are defined by resilience, perseverance and overcoming obstacles. As a person, she has been impacted by the foster care system and therapeutic treatment centers like those at Camp E-Nini-Hassee in Floral City, FL. I am confident that her unique set of personal and professional experiences have prepared her to be a fierce advocate for children, while helping them find a pathway to prosperity they otherwise wouldn’t have had,” said David Vincent, Citrus County Sheriff. 

“Right now, there are more than 714,000 Florida children living in poverty. In a state that has the 16th largest economy in the world and continues to create jobs higher than the national average, replacing poverty with prosperity is not only imperative, it’s the right thing to do and having Heather building support in every community of Florida will be a game changer for our Florida Prosperity Initiative and so many kids and communities,” said Mark Wilson, President & CEO, Florida Chamber of Commerce and Foundation. 

The Florida Prosperity Initiative’s efforts are powered by the Florida Prosperity Advisory Board and supported by Florida Chamber Foundation Board members and so many others. 

“With 983 zip codes and more than half of our 714,768 children living in poverty in just 15 percent (150) of Florida’s zip codes, the Florida Prosperity Initiative is connecting every community to leverage partnerships aimed at helping families move from a life of barriers and dependence to one of prosperity and self-sufficiency. The Moore Agency is a proud supporter of this work,” said Karen Moore, Founder & CEO of The Moore Agency and Incoming Chair-Elect of the Florida Chamber Foundation. 

To find out more about the Florida Prosperity Initiative, visit: www.flchamber.com/flprosperityinitiative.  

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About the Florida Prosperity Initiative 

The Florida Chamber Foundation’s Florida Prosperity Initiative is a business-led initiative to cut Florida childhood poverty in half by replacing childhood poverty with pathways to prosperity and self-sufficiency. The Initiative focuses on helping individuals and families break the destructive cycle of generational poverty by tackling the 10 root causes, implementing and better connecting tailored, community-driven solutions at the zip code level to create pathways to economic opportunity for all Floridians. It operates under the strategic direction of the Florida Prosperity Advisory Board, encouraging collaboration among businesses, community leaders, policymakers, and non-profits to achieve its collective impact-achieved goals.  

The Prosperity Initiative has garnered strong backing from community and business leaders across Florida, underscoring the importance of addressing generational poverty. At the May Florida Prosperity & Economic Opportunity Solution Summit, leaders including First Lady Casey DeSantis; Tim Marks, President & CEO of Metropolitan Ministries; and John Rivers, Owner of 4 Rivers Smokehouse emphasized the transformative impact of this work: 

Casey DeSantis, First Lady of Florida– “We can do so much more if we are working together, we know the mission, and we are working for the individual.” 

Tim Marks, President and Chief Officer of Metropolitan Ministries– “Remember the opening comments by Mark? He talked about Prosperity, he talked about GDP, and then he paused and said, however. In this room, there are folks in the public sector, private sector, faith community, nonprofits. And all of us care about the however.” 

John Rivers, owner of 4 Rivers Smokehouse– “The fact that you are here, you are part of the Prosperity Committee and the Initiative that they are doing and says a lot about your heart and your priorities are as a company and an individual. So, thank you.” 

Heather Cogar shares her personal triumphs and connection to the Florida Prosperity Initiative
mission during a recent Florida Chamber meeting. 

About the Florida Chamber Foundation 

The Florida Chamber Foundation is a statewide, business-led, non-partisan research and leadership organization focused on securing Florida’s future. By prioritizing long-term strategies over the short-term, the Chamber Foundation partners with regional and state leaders to ensure global competitiveness, prosperity, high-paying jobs, and vibrant communities for all Floridians. Guided by the Florida 2030 Blueprint and its Six Pillars of Florida’s Future Economy, the Foundation focuses on improving Florida’s talent pipeline, diversifying the economy through new technology and innovation, enhancing infrastructure, fostering a business-friendly climate, streamlining government efficiency, and championing Florida’s quality of life.