Born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri, Vanessa represents the spirit of those who dare to believe they can change the world. She has dedicated her life to creating equitable opportunities for young people as a parent, foster parent, teacher, and nonprofit leader. Vanessa holds multiple advanced degrees, including a Master’s in Educational Leadership from Harvard, and has spent over a decade shaping the educational landscape through various leadership roles. Currently, she serves as Chief Impact Officer at 10,000 Degrees, focusing on closing the educational opportunity gap for students from low-income backgrounds. Her commitment to education, leadership, and family drives her mission to make a positive impact in the world.