Class of 1994; Elected 2016
Vanessa graduated from Georgetown University where she double majored in International Business and Marketing and minored in Japanese. She also received a Master’s in Accounting from UConn in 2004 and a Master’s in International and Public Affairs from Columbia U. in 2010. Prior to becoming a diplomat, Vanessa worked in finance as an assistant controller and marketing specialist at Cornerstone Real Estate Advisors, a division of MassMutual, and as a Senior Financial Analyst at Citigroup Global Investments. She also worked with the Japanese Ministry of Education teaching English and developing curriculum for Japanese high schools. In 2010 Vanessa joined the U.S. Foreign Service Diplomatic Corps. Her first assignment was to Mauritius, a small island in the Indian Ocean, where, as Public Affairs Officer, she was responsible for media, cultural, and educational issues. There she worked with the foreign press and public to highlight U.S. policies and spearheaded projects to promote educational, professional, and cultural exchanges. In 2014 Vanessa was assigned to the U.S. Embassy in Caracas, Venezuela. As Vice Consul she assists Venezuelans desiring to visit, study, or live in the United States as well as helping American citizens visiting or living in Venezuela. Vanessa speaks English and Spanish and understands French and Japanese.