Vanessa is a senior leader with over 10 years of experience in the areas of communication, governance, strategic planning, government relations, and stakeholder engagement. As Executive Director, Strategic Initiatives in the Office of the President at Brock University, Vanessa works closely with colleagues across the institution on strategic planning and the delivery of cross-functional projects that contribute to the execution of the University’s strategic priorities. In collaboration with the Vice-Presidents and Associate Vice-Presidents, she is integral to the management of key projects, including the revitalization of the University’s strategic plan, governance matters, and enhancing engagement with the Office of the President with faculty, staff, students, alumni, internal/external stakeholders, and other community partners.Previously, Vanessa worked in management roles at Loblaw Companies Limited, overseeing Government Relations across the business. In this role, she was responsible for managing communication and strategic engagement at all levels of government, with a more concentrated focus on the Federal Government, Ontario and Atlantic Canada. Vanessa managed government relations for Loblaw throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, and was the key point person internally for all questions related to current health guidance provided by the federal and provincial governments at the time.Vanessa also has senior leadership experience in former roles as Strategic and Operations Advisor to the Auditor General at the Office of the Auditor General of Ontario and as Interim General Manager at National Training Rinks.Currently, Vanessa is a member of the Board of Directors at Burlington Economic Development, and is the President of the Women’s Section Executive at Dundas Valley Golf and Curling Club.