I'm //vanessa.
about me.
This website is where I play.
You can find my professional work and portfolio over at >> rhino& wrenn.
I have spent my career working with a variety of public and private organizations through a range of positions and industries. I have led projects, improved programs, enhanced organizations, and strengthened cultural dynamics all through an approach to work that is built on a foundation of participatory inquiry, community collaboration, and trust.
I have an MBA from Simmons School of Management (MA), BA in Marketing from Fairfield University (CT), and worked as a social worker in Chicago. I live with my husband, child (they/them), two rescued cats and senior dog. In my (little) free time, you’ll find me running, reading graphic novels, or dreaming about where to scuba dive next (post-pandemic).
// public speaking:
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panelist, Technology as Political Resistance
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guest lecturer, Taking it to the Tweets
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Gender/Cultural Studies 403, Simmons University (Oct 2019)
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conference host, Whose Agenda: Action, Research, & Politics
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17th annual CIRN Conference, Monash Prato Centre (Nov 2019)
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panel chair, Politics, Power, Community, Technology
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17th annual CIRN Conference, Monash Prato Centre (Nov 2019)
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moderator, Women in Technology and Gender Data Gaps
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Women in Power Conference, Harvard Kennedy School (Apr 2019)
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speaker, Can we write Human Rights Into the Internet?
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Belfer Policy Chat, Belfer Center, HKS (Mar 2019)
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facilitator, Developing a Participatory Approach to Digital Rights Research
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Internet Freedom Festival, Valencia, Spain (Mar 2018)
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>> complete list of public speaking can be found here.
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I used to have MySpace, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, ... but after years as a communications, specifically digital media, professional I made the decision to scale back my online footprint. Why? Mainly for my mental health, wellness, and safety.