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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.
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“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