About Me
I discovered my passion for covering global development when I started writing for Rotary International, an organization of 1.2 million community leaders who are tackling some of the world’s most pressing problems.
I’ve reported hundreds of stories — but the most memorable include documenting rebuilding efforts in Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria and interviewing philanthropist Howard Buffett, who aims to end hunger through innovative farming practices and his $3 billion foundation.
In 2017, I won an Eddie award for this interview with Greenpeace’s Annie Leonard.
Before I landed at Rotary, I graduated from Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism, and spent time reporting for Dow Jones and the Associated Press in Buenos Aires, Argentina, where I interviewed sources in Spanish and wrote in English.
My stories have appeared in the Chicago Tribune, The Christian Science Monitor, NBCChicago.com, Rotary magazine, The Seattle Times, and other outlets.
“Not only is Vanessa an accomplished reporter and talented writer, she is a pure pleasure to work with on a daily basis. She brings a positive energy and heartfelt passion to her work that is truly contagious. Vanessa is a team player who digs deep when researching, and she delivers each story in a creative and effective manner. If you have an opportunity to work with Vanessa, seize it! You will not regret it."
-Emily Lobdell, former AOL CityGuide editor