Speaking Engagements, Presentations, Workshops
Are you in search for a dynamic, interactive and personalized presentation? Look no further!
Designed with purpose to have participants LEARN through targeted education, GROW with being equip with tools for change, and be INSPIRED to make positive changes.
Vanessa has almost two decades of public speaking experience on topics related to children, education, mental health, mindfulness and well-being. View below for video segments and publications.
Gallery of Events,
Public Speaking Engagements,
and Publications
Click on each image to view or read event description, video or publication.
October 2020
Training for the New Jersey Coalition to End Domestic Violence on "Talking to Teens and Families about Race in the Therapeutic Space"October 2020
Yahoo! Life PublicationSeptember 2020
Byrdie.Com PublicationHOW TO ACTUALLY ENJOY DOWNTIME
August 2020
The Latina Mom Legacy Podcast5 BACK TO SCHOOL STRESS REDUCING TIPS TO HELP YOU DURING THIS COVID ERA
August 2020
Outwit Trade Publication.Vanessa contributed an excerpt on the benefits of mindfulness.
August 2020
New Jersey Family MagazineHOW TO TAKE THE STRESS OUT OF REMOTE LEARNING
August 2020
NBC's Today Show with Hoda and Jenna.Vanessa was interviewed and answered questions during a two-part segment of going Back to School during the Pandemic.
July 2020
July's Amiga Moms Mindful Meet-Up.Vanessa led a discussion and guided meditation on the aspect of navigating friendships as adults.
July 2020
Advocates for Children of NJ's Virtual Parent Town Hall Discussion: Childcare & The Pandemic.Vanessa discussed the importance of mindfulness for mothers and children in the time of the pandemic.
June 2020
AMIGA MOMS JUNE MINDFUL MEET-UPThe June Mindful Meet-Up was held virtually due to focused on the theme "I am Enough." Participants were led in conversation and guided meditation.
May 2020
PARENTING AND THE PANDEMICSponsored by Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey
May 2020
NJ MOM Mompreneur of the Week.Vanessa was interviewed as a featured entrepreneur and NJ mother of the week.
May 2020
AMIGA MOMS MAY MINDFUL MEET-UP.Vanessa led a discussion and guided meditation on adjusting to the new way of being during the pandemic.
May 2020
IMPLEMENTING MINDFULNESS IN UNCERTAIN TIMESWebinar for Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority, Inc.
May 2020
PARENTING AND THE PANDEMICMay 2020
NJMOM MINDFULNESS FOR KIDSApril 2020
EMPRESARIO SERIESSpanish Interview
April 2020
AMIGA MOMS MARCH MINDFUL MEET-UPThe April Mindful Meet-Up was held virtually for the first time due to COVID-19. Participants had the opportunity for "real mom talk" regarding the pandemic and were led on a guided meditation to bring peace and ease to their minds and hearts.
April 2020
BERGEN IN COLOR INSTAGRAM LIVEBergen in Color's founder Tevera Francis led a panel discussion on "Prepping for the Other Side of COVID-19."
March 2020
Dancing into Parenthood Podcast: How to Incorporate Mindfulness in Your Daily RoutineMarch 2020
AMIGA MOMS' MARCH MINDFUL MEET-UPThe March Mindful Meet-Up held on International Women's Day 2020 focused on the theme "I am Enough." Participants were led in conversation and guided meditation.
February 2020
AMIGA MOMS FEBRUARY MONTHLY MINDFUL MEET-UPJanuary 2020
MINDFULNESS FOR PARENTSVanessa provided an hour long presentation to parents of the North Bergen Special Education Parent Advisory Group.
January 2020
REGION V / INTERREGIONAL TRAININGVanessa provided two 2-hour trainings focused on Mindfulness and Self-Care to paraprofessionals in Bergen County.
January 2020
January's Monthly Mindful Meet-Up hosted by Amiga Moms provided participants with the opportunity to build a supportive network, to be led in guided meditation and to have genuine discussions regarding Resetting Your Mindset while creating Vision Boards.Book Vanessa to Speak at Your Next Event
Real Feedback from Participants
"I enjoyed the information presented. It was engaging and allowed me to think about the information in a different perspective."
"I learned a lot and I really liked the examples you presented to clarify what was presented and ideas to implement in class."
"I found great value in this workshop. It made me rethink how I will structure my behavior management plan in school."
"So very helpful. Best PD I've taken!"
"Very enthusiastic and dedicated to the theory and practice."
"It made 'sense.' Many of the ideas presented are realistic and can be successfully implemented in class."
"Well done - informative. I like that you were honest and shared personal experiences (even the not-so-good ones 😊)."
"The presenter was animated, and varied the activities with both powerpoint and hands-on experiences."
"The presentation was amazing! Vanessa kept us all engaged and really helped me to understand mindfulness nad how to practice it at work and at home."
"It totally met my needs and taught me how to practice mindfulness in the classroom."
"So mindful and beautiful tone of her voice and tone to this beautiful presentation. Very clear and fun listening to it."
"I thought it was a great experience and would love to take part in more like this one today."
"I learned so much! It was fun and the presenter was great! She was funny and engaging!"
"She kept me interested the whole time. I really liked the presentation, with getting out of our seats and participating."
"Very informative, great visuals on the slides, as well as personal narratives and experiences."
"She was a great presenter. She made it interesting and relatable."
Mindfulness:
The What
The Why
The How
Self-Care for Educators:
Finding Your Best
Not Settling for What's Left
Three M's to Success:
Mindfulness,
Mindset & Motivation
Strengthening Relationships:
Parent-Child Relationship
OR
Teacher-Student
Relationship
Awards
Bergen County K-8 School Counselor of the Year
2012
Bergen County School Counselor Association (BCSCA) presents one K-8 counselor with a K-8 School Counselor of the Year award each year. Submissions for this award are chosen from students who independently nominate their school counselor. In 2012 I was chosen as the recipient of this award out of a pool of qualified nominees. The award was presented at the BCSCA 2012 awards dinner.
The College of New Jersey's School Counselor of the Year Award
2009
The College of New Jersey presents one graduate with the School Counselor of the Year Award every year. The recipient of the award is chosen by TCNJ's Counselor Education faculty. I was honored to be presented with this award on the same evening as being inducted into Chi Iota Sigma International Honor Society for Counseling Professionals.