Vanessa joins the Sterling Search team with nearly 20 years of experience working for non-profit health organizations addressing chronic diseases such as Cancer, Lung Health, and HIV/AIDS. Transitioning into nonprofit recruitment allows Vanessa to leverage her experience in the non-profit sector and deep passion for helping others, toward connecting incredible organizations with incredible talent.

Vanessa’s background lies heavily in events, community development and volunteer engagement. After a short stint in the fashion industry, Vanessa knew her soul needed more and sought out volunteering to pursue a more passionate line of work. She spent the first two years volunteering and working within the HIV/AIDS arena in New York City for an HIV/AIDS medication recycling program out of New York Presbyterian Hospital as well as working on several campaigns with AIDS Walk New York. Asked to be a part of the AIDS Walk LA team, Vanessa jumped on the opportunity to move across the country and has never left Southern California. During her 17-year span of non-profit work in the LA market, Vanessa specialized in fundraising walks and gala events, youth fundraising programs and volunteer development.  In one of her last roles in the non-profit sector, Vanessa led a team of national chapter directors responsible for all events, development, volunteers, program activation and awareness within their given territory. Her leadership supported growth in the chapter program from 4 chapters/4 staff to 9 chapters/ 13 staff, for a growing Prostate Cancer organization that went from $4M to $8M in revenue over 5 years.  

Vanessa lives in Hollywood, CA with her husband, daughter and 4 chickens! You can usually find Vanessa on the sideline of a soccer field, exercising, tending to their chickens, doing schoolwork or giving back to charities that are meaningful to her including her daughters school, Make-A-Wish Greater Los Angeles and ZERO Prostate Cancer.

Education:
MMFT, Phillips Graduate Institute – 2025 expected graduate
BS, Business, Marketing & Management - Western Michigan University
AAS, Merchandising Management - Fashion Institute of Technology