Vanessa White

Vanessa White

Vanessa White brings a wealth of experience as a child and family advocate, consultant, and non-profit and community leader to the Shriver Center. Her career and volunteerism have centered on racial and social justice. In both Cincinnati and Chicago, she has held staff and senior leadership positions at organizations focused on family well-being, housing security, workforce development, educational access, arts inclusion, and community development. They include Lawndale Christian Development Corporation, Lydia Homes, the Urban League of Greater Southwestern Ohio, ArtsWave, the Cincinnati Preschool Promise and the University of Cincinnati.

Vanessa found her passion for children and family justice at the start of her career, working in a youth residential treatment center and as a caseworker in the foster care system. As a chief of staff for a Cincinnati city council member she developed eviction prevention policies, balanced development goals, inclusive constituent engagement strategies, and established a children and families cabinet. Vanessa earned her B.S. in criminal justice from the University of Cincinnati and her M.B.A from Xavier University. She received her Ph.D. in educational studies from the University of Cincinnati.