Vanessa combines strategic thinking with strong project management skills. She is responsible for guiding the execution of integrated/multi-channel campaigns and providing marketing support for Community & Economic Development programs and initiatives. 

Before this position, Vanessa served as the Director of Business Development and Strategic Partnership for Golden Isles Development Authority. There she oversaw communicating the unique advantages of locating in the Golden Isles, project management for incoming businesses, and building strong partner relationships. Vanessa also developed and led strategic programs, like Keep Glynn Running, to strengthen the coastal region’s business climate.

Vanessa has held marketing, business development, and program development positions with government agencies, startups, and higher education institutes. Her programs attained numerous accolades in those roles for the organizations she supported.

Vanessa is an active volunteer and currently supports several non-profits and community initiatives, including Georgia Power ADAPPT (Alliance of Disability Advocates Pursing Progress Together); OUT Georgia Business Alliance; and The Farm at Oatlands North (a sanctuary for retired, neglected, and abused animals).

Vanessa and her husband Evan are native to Buffalo, New York. After nearly eleven years of living in Northern Virginia, they relocated to the Golden Isles with their rescue mutts. They are both avid outdoor enthusiasts and enjoy exploring the waterways, trails, and beaches unique to Coastal Georgia.