Meet Vanessa Header-01.jpg

For the past fourteen years, Vanessa has been instrumental in the development of programs and policies that align with her dedication of empowerment. Vanessa brings a unique perspective when providing strategies to meet the needs of individual communities. She has a Bachelor of Science in Public Policy and is a Certified Public Manager® from Arizona State University; however, her most important attribute is her years of experience working in the public sector.

Noteworthy Skills:

  • I have experience in supporting public sector organizations and communities to leverage and expand their resources (i.e., funding, community partnerships, build and maintain stakeholder and citizen support) to address the challenges each community is facing today and in the future.

  • I have a deep understanding of the public sector having served the offices of the Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction, Arizona Attorney General, Arizona Governor, Bellingham and Whatcom County Housing Authorities, and the Whatcom County Prosecuting Attorney. I understand how government agencies operate from managing budgets to policy development, working with, and fostering relationships with stakeholders, to thinking outside the box to maximize resources.

  • I have experience in grant writing and grant management on the Federal, State, and Local levels.  For example, I submitted grant proposals to the U.S. Department of Justice and the Washington State Health Care Authority and was awarded $1.5 million to launch the national Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD) program in Whatcom County.  I fostered relationships with elected officials, Department Heads, and community members to build trust and program buy-in.   Whatcom County’s LEAD program diverts individuals into a community-based, harm-reduction intervention for law violations driven by unmet behavioral health needs and/or substance use disorder. 

Education:

  • Arizona State University, Bob Ramsey Executive Education, Tempe, Arizona

    • Certified Public Manager

  • Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona

    • Bachelor of Science in Public Policy & Public Service, Cum Laude

Three Things You May Not Know About Me:

  • After the successful launch of Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion program, I was the recipient of the Advancing Justice Award in 2020.

  • I went sky diving in 2009 and barely survived to tell the story.

  • I cherish my family and friends and can’t get enough of my precious and most adorable fur-babies, Duke and Yoda!