Born and raised in the Yampa Valley, Vanessa has dedicated countless hours to strengthening our community through volunteerism, leadership, mentorship, and advocacy.
From an early age, Vanessa learned the importance of giving back from her parents, who taught her that even small acts of kindness can make a meaningful difference. Her personal philanthropic journey began at age 10 while volunteering at the United Way Holiday Market, where she took pride in making sure all of the donated items made it into the hands of families. That experience sparked a passion for service that continues today, and, over the years, she has volunteered with Integrated Community, Yampa Valley Housing Authority’s Brown Ranch Committee, Partners for Youth, The Cycle Effect and the Steamboat Springs Teen Council.
What makes Vanessa’s impact especially meaningful is her commitment to helping others feel seen, heard, and included. As a bilingual leader, she has often served as a bridge for Spanish-speaking families, helping them connect with resources and feel welcome in the community.
Two organizations have had a particularly significant impact on Vanessa’s journey: The Cycle Effect and the Steamboat Springs Teen Council. Vanessa joined The Cycle Effect’s first pilot program as a young athlete and has since grown into a coach and mentor, helping girls and women build confidence through mountain biking. Through the Teen Council, she served in multiple leadership roles, including President, and helped create initiatives focused on youth belonging and mental wellness.
Vanessa has also worked to make Steamboat Springs High School more inclusive for Spanish-speaking students and families. After proposing the idea of weekly Spanish-language school announcements, she spent three years delivering them and helped establish bilingual representation at school assemblies. Before graduating, she ensured the tradition would continue by training other students to take over.
When asked what she is most proud of, Vanessa doesn’t point to a specific title or accomplishment. Instead, she reflects on leading with kindness and creating spaces where others feel they belong. She recognizes that her cultural background and bilingualism are strengths that allow her to connect with people from different walks of life and help them gain confidence, feel included, and realize their voice matters.
Her advice to other young people interested in philanthropy is simple: start small and find a cause you care about. Whether it’s volunteering for an hour, attending a community event, or showing up for someone in need, those actions can create lasting impact.
Vanessa embodies the spirit of philanthropy through her generosity, leadership, and commitment to serving others. We are excited for her next phase as she heads to Colorado Mesa University to study Business Administration this fall and we look forward to seeing the many ways she will continue to strengthen our community in the future.