Vanessa’s passion for healthy food started when she was in high school, and her grandparents moved in with her family. They both had been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes and heart disease and required additional assistance.

Watching her grandparents struggle to manage their lifestyle diseases inspired her to make better everyday choices, seek an education in nutrition, and teach others about the connection between health and diet.

Vanessa received her undergraduate degree from the University of Texas in 2020 with an Honors in Advanced Nutritional Sciences and a distinction in leadership. She also holds a Master’s in Public Health from the UTHealth Science Center in Houston with a concentration in public health nutrition through the Dietetic Internship Program.

Before joining Whole Kids in 2022, she worked on two different research studies; one fostered hands-on gardening, nutrition and cooking experiences for elementary-aged children during the school day; and the other was a behavioral intervention program focused on making dietary changes to manage diabetes through cooking classes.

Her education and experiences in nutrition, behavior change interventions, gardening and school food paved the way for her role with Whole Kids. Vanessa is most excited to increase access to and the consumption of fresh, nutritious, whole foods in schools.