Vanessa was born in bustling East New York (Brooklyn), New York. For a few early years she doted on her mother's every move until she passed away when Vanessa was five years old.  Having begun school without the confidence instilled by a mother’s comforting words, she found herself in the slow reader section of her third grade class.  Then this happened…

She spelled “advantageous” and moved from the "slow" to the "advanced" section of the classroom.  The teacher sent Vanessa home with a note to her father.  That was nice.  But what she remembers most about that day is falling in love with words.  She began spending most of her days at the library, reading and writing.  Her newfound love of words made her believe she could do whatever she dreamed.

That pivotal day rooted the educational courage and confidence Vanessa needed, as a motherless girl, to pursue her education and dreams.  She became a CPA working in the country’s largest corporations successfully leading multi-million dollar financial projects.  She served on corporate executive boards, won multiple leadership awards, traveled internationally to train staff, founded several companies, and authored many articles and books.  As an executive leader she used her passion for mission and vision to create organizations and initiatives that help others develop the skills and confidence to lead successful lives.

Vanessa has worked with various organizations to develop community reading programs, tutored reading in elementary schools, and is currently a General Educational Development (GED) coach. Reading changed Vanessa's life and she says she lives to help instill literacy skills and a passion for believing what's possible in as many people as she can.

An Urgent Call

Vanessa firmly believes the state of childhood literacy is a national emergency that not only impacts the health and well-being of families and communities, but also impacts the nation, local economies, and business success. This interconnection requires everyone’s participation and partnership to do the great work of giving children an opportunity to have a fruitful and flourishing life.

Your Invitation To Join Our Community

Reading Makes a World of Difference

  • Children who read imagine, dream, have hope, and plan for a bright future. 

  • A child who reads well has the basis for analytical thinking and communication.

  • A child who cannot read may feel like an outsider, and that they do not belong. 

Speaker Invitations

To request Vanessa for a speaking event, go HERE.