Resilient Nonprofit Leader | Champion of Gender & Racial Equity | Community ActivistVanessa Pabón-Hernandez, a seasoned nonprofit leader with over 25 years devoted to community service, is now channeling her expertise and enthusiasm to lead the continued community-driven impact of the Women’s Fund. Renowned for her resilience, adept resource management, strategic coalition building, and effective coaching, Vanessa champions gender and racial equity in our region.From entrepreneurial beginnings to advocating for marginalized communities, Vanessa's journey has been rooted in community activism, raising awareness for social issues, addressing systemic racism, and leveraging storytelling for social change. She co-founded TOLD (Telling our Legacies Digitally), pioneering the first community-based digital storytelling center in a predominantly Latinx neighborhood as a grassroots organizing strategy. At New England Public Media, she envisioned and led initiatives like the Latino Youth Media Institute which diversified the workforce, and the award-winning bilingual television series Presencia, amplifying the power of community voices.Beyond her professional roles, Vanessa actively volunteers on various boards. She has earned recognition such as the "Unsung Heroine" award from the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women and being named to BusinessWest's "40 Under 40." She’s featured in the exhibit “Voices of Resilience: The Intersection of Women on the Move” and was the grand marshal for the Springfield Puerto Rican Parade. In her downtime, Vanessa treasures spontaneous adventures with her husband, and cherishes moments with her daughter and grandson.

Many Voices, One CommunityPresencia is a local production of public television station WGBY. It is a bilingual (English/Spanish) magazine-format program capturing the stories of the Latino communities of western New England. The show offers a local focus, featuring conversations specifically about the Latino history, diversity, and traditions in the region. It will also showcase inspiring true stories, highlight rich cultural heritage, and spotlight local talent.

I oversee the following community engagement projects:- TOLD (Telling Our Legacies Digitally) community-based Digital Storytelling Project.- YMI (Youth Media Institute) an internship for youth interested in exploring a career in media. (TV, Radio, Print, Web, community storytelling)- Latino Advisory Board- Project Manager for PBS National projects such as Ready to Learn and American Graduate

North End Youth Center