Vanessa Jimenez
Co-Interim Executive Director
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About
Vanessa Jimenez
Through her lived experiences as a Latina growing up and living in dominant culture spaces, Vanessa Jimenez has spent most of her life working to dismantle systems of oppression and inequities, particularly focusing on amplifying BIPOC women and other historically marginalized communities. Vanessa has nearly 15 years working with nonprofits and foundations locally and nationally, supporting organizational development in capacity building, diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging, and leadership development.
In addition to her executive experience, Vanessa is a creative with a deep interest in self and social expression through the arts. She is a writer, photographer, and storyteller who has performed around the country, using her stories and voice to explore identity, culture, and societal issues as they relate to the world around us and to her experience as a multicultural millennial Latina.
Connection To GR, Thoughts on Liberation, Reclamation
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As a Latina navigating dominant-culture spaces, I’ve developed a deep passion for advocating for historically marginalized communities and working to dismantle systems of oppression and inequities. This passion is the foundation for both my professional and creative pursuits.
As the owner and CEO of Mezcla Mosaic Collaborative, I’ve made it my mission to support leaders, organizations, and systems in creating and sustaining meaningful growth and transformation. My nearly 15 years of experience as a nonprofit leader and diversity, equity, and inclusion educator allows me to interconnect my education and lived experiences to better serve historical marginalized communities.
In addition to my executive experience, I’m a creative with a strong interest in self and social expression through the arts. As a writer, photographer, and storyteller, I’ve performed around the country, using my stories and voice to explore identity, culture, and societal issues. Through my company Vane Fortaleza Creative, I engage clients in identity and self-discovery workshops, speaking engagements, and visual storytelling.
My artistry is deeply rooted in my personal experiences and the communities I serve. I believe that storytelling and art are powerful tools for social change, and I strive to use my creative voice to shed light on the issues affecting these communities. Through my work, I hope to inspire others to embrace their identities through liberation and self-love, and to create a more equitable and inclusive world for all.