Vanessa N. Lewis is a dynamic and accomplished development professional with over a decade of experience in fundraising and nonprofit management. Her drive and motivation, coupled with her commitment to service and impact, set her apart as a professional to watch. Vanessa's academic achievements, combined with her passion for creating positive change wherever she goes, make her a standout in her field. As a proud Chicago native, her love for her community was nurtured on the south side, setting the stage for her future endeavors.

Vanessa provides consulting services and serves as Of Counsel at Latz & Company, specializing in nonprofit and mission-driven organizations. She works tirelessly to advance the mission of diverse organizations by evaluating practices, building and implementing fundraising campaigns/events, and advising on strategic processes to deliver measurable results and solutions. As an experienced and accomplished nonprofit leader with a proven track record of driving organizational success through strategic planning, fundraising, budget management, and collaboration, she understands the support and strategies many organizations need to develop strong relationships and sustainable processes.

Vanessa's professional journey has been nothing short of remarkable. As a LINK Unlimited Scholars staff member (November 2018 - June 2023), she initially led corporate and foundation relations as the Manager, later taking charge of the Fundraising and Advancement Team before transitioning into the role of Chief of Staff. In this key leadership position, she served as a strategic partner to the President & CEO, facilitating organization leadership and external relationship-building. Her responsibilities extended to board relations, partnerships, fundraising, maintaining brand integrity, and communications.

Before her role at LINK, Vanessa contributed her fundraising and development expertise as the Corporate Membership Officer at the Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago, where she began as the Administrative Assistant to the Director of Corporate & Foundation Giving (Oct 2013 - Nov 2018). Her dedication to cultivating and nurturing relationships within the philanthropic community goes beyond a career – it's a heartfelt passion. Vanessa firmly believes in the power of fostering connections between individuals from diverse backgrounds because, as she knows, sometimes in life, it truly does take a village.

Ms. Lewis’ background, passion for community, and commitment to effective impact make her a standout leader in the nonprofit world. She holds a Certificate in Nonprofit Management from the University of Chicago's Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy and Practice through the Office of Civic Engagement Community Accelerator. She also graduated from Chicago State University with a B.S. in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing.

In her spare time, she adores music and fashion and cherishes quality moments spent with her family and closest friends. Vanessa is also a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, whose commitment is to be "supreme in service to all mankind." Her unwavering dedication to making a difference has touched the lives of many along her journey as she continues to support others and be a driving force for positive change.