Speaking Engagements
Keynotes & Professional Development
With almost two decades of public speaking experience on topics related to children, education, mental health, mindfulness and well-being, Vanessa is dynamic, personable, and makes presentations practical and applicable.
Presentations and workshops are tailored and designed with purpose to have participants LEARN with targeted education, GROW with tools for change, and leave INSPIRED to make positive changes.
View below for video segments and publications.
See Vanessa in Action
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Today Show with Hoda & Jenna
Kids & Virtual Learning
August 2020
Newark Museum of Art & The Worry Woos
SEL & Mindfulness in the times of COVID
November 2020
Gallery of Events, Public Speaking Engagements, and Publications
Click on each image to view or read event description, video or publication.
AMIGOS DE UNIVISION FEATURE Discussing importance of mindfulness and helping kids on their return back to school. Segment begins at 3:08.
KEAN UNIVERSITY UPWARD BOUND PRESENTATION Implementing Self-Care with Mindful Coping Strategies
Helping Kids and Parents Cope & Manage Stress Effectively Professional Development provided for South Amboy Public School District
UNDERSTANDING TRAUMA AND TRAUMA-INFORMED CARE Webinar presented to the New Jersey Coalition to End Domestic Violence
MINDFULNESS ENHANCING SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL LEARNING Professional Development provided to the South Amboy Public School District
TCNJ STUDENT GOVERNMENT PANEL: DIVERSITY IN HEALTHCARE
MONEY MINDFULNESS: SPENDING TRIGGERS
CONNECTING WITH OUR KIDS PARENT WORKSHOP. Parent Workshop provided to the South Amboy Public School District
MINDFULNESS: THE ANSWER TO PERSONAL GROWTH. Professional Development provided to the South Amboy Public School District
TIPS FOR TALKING TO OUR KIDS ABOUT CURRENT EVENTS Live Interview with NJMOM
MINDFUL LIVING AND HOW IT CAN MAKE LIFE A LITTLE EASIER Guest on the Mom Thrive Podcast
GIRL UP MENTAL HEALTH EVENT Provided to the Girl Up Group in JP Stevens High School.
NAVIGATING SCHOOL PROCESS TO SUPPORT STUDENTS LEARNING NEEDS & FAMILIES DURING COVID-19. Professional Development provided to the New Jersey Coalition to End Domestic Violence.
RISK FACTORS OF SUICIDE IN CHILDREN AND ADULTS. Professional Development provided to the New Jersey Coalition to End Domestic Violence.
SOCIAL & EMOTIONAL LEARNING IN THE TIME OF COVID. Sponsored by the Newark Museum of Art and The Worry Woos. Panel begins at 2:01:30
TALKING TO TEENS AND FAMILIES ABOUT RACE IN THE THERAPEUTIC SPACE. Training for the New Jersey Coalition to End Domestic Violence
Yahoo! Life Publication
HOW TO ACTUALLY ENJOY DOWNTIME Published in Article in Byrdie.com
The Latina Mom Legacy Podcast 5 BACK TO SCHOOL STRESS REDUCING TIPS TO HELP YOU DURING THIS COVID ERA
HOW TO RELIEVE STRESS. Published in Outwit Trade Publication. Vanessa contributed an excerpt on the benefits of mindfulness.
New Jersey Family Magazine HOW TO TAKE THE STRESS OUT OF REMOTE LEARNING
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's Amiga Moms Mindful Meet-Up. Vanessa led a discussion and guided meditation on the aspect of navigating friendships as adults.
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.
NJCA's ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2020: MINDFULNESS: THE WHAT, THE WHY, THE HOW
AMIGA MOMS JUNE MINDFUL MEET-UP The June Mindful Meet-Up was held virtually due to focused on the theme "I am Enough." Participants were led in conversation and guided meditation.
PARENTING AND THE PANDEMIC Sponsored by Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey
NJ MOM Mompreneur of the Week. Vanessa was interviewed as a featured entrepreneur and NJ mother of the week.
AMIGA MOMS MAY MINDFUL MEET-UP. Vanessa led a discussion and guided meditation on adjusting to the new way of being during the pandemic.
IMPLEMENTING MINDFULNESS IN UNCERTAIN TIMES Webinar for Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority, Inc.
PARENTING AND THE PANDEMIC
NJMOM MINDFULNESS FOR KIDS
EMPRESARIO SERIES Spanish Interview
AMIGA MOMS MARCH MINDFUL MEET-UP The 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.
BERGEN IN COLOR INSTAGRAM LIVE Bergen in Color's founder Tevera Francis led a panel discussion on "Prepping for the Other Side of COVID-19."
Dancing into Parenthood Podcast: How to Incorporate Mindfulness in Your Daily Routine
AMIGA MOMS' MARCH MINDFUL MEET-UP The 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.
AMIGA MOMS FEBRUARY MONTHLY MINDFUL MEET-UP
MINDFULNESS FOR PARENTS Vanessa provided an hour long presentation to parents of the North Bergen Special Education Parent Advisory Group.
REGION V / INTERREGIONAL TRAINING Two 2-hour trainings focused on Mindfulness and Self-Care to paraprofessionals in Bergen County.
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.
Dancing into Parenthood Podcast: How to Have a Stress-Free Holiday Season
December'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 Managing the Holiday Stress.
AMIGA MOMS NOVEMBER MINDFUL MEET-UP The first Monthly Mindful Meet-Up hosted by Amiga Moms was in November 2019. Women were given the opportunity to build a supportive network, to be led in guided meditation and to have genuine discussions regarding Finding the Calm in the Chaos.
"YOU CAN TOO" PANELIST SPEAKER Vanessa was invited by Lambda Theta Phi Latin Fraternity, Inc. at The College of New Jersey to be a panelist at their "You Can Too" event. Vanessa provided insight on tools necessary to succeed in college and discussed after college expectations.
MELINATED MOMS' SEEDS of BRUNCH Vanessa was invited by Melinated Moms to speak at their annual Seeds of Sisterhood Brunch. Vanessa spoke of the importance of mental health for mothers of different backgrounds.
BACK TO SCHOOL: PARENTING 101 Parent responsibilities greatly increase as kids start the academic year - forms to sign, clothes to buy, lunches to pack, tests to study for... and the list goes on! Vanessa collaborated with General Pediatrician Dr. Divina Lopez to present Back to School: Parenting 101. This event covered important medical and educational information beneficial to all parents of children in preschool and early elementary school.
MINDFUL PARENTING in the PARK Vanessa teamed up with children's illustrator Jisely J to bring an event called "Mindful Parenting in the Park" to parents and their young children of ages 2-5. Vanessa shared about mindfulness and led a variety of activities to increase and strengthen positive relationships between mother and child.
AMIGA MOMS and COCKTAIL & COLOR Vanessa was invited to be a speaker for participants of "Cocktail & Color" where Amiga Moms were also invited. The event was phone-free which allowed participants to be fully present and free from outside distractions. In addition to sharing basics about mindfulness, Vanessa led participants in a mindful coloring activity which had them reflect on present emotions in their lives.
AMIGA MOMS & VIXEN WORKOUT Vanessa co-sponsored an Amiga Moms event which brought women of all ages and backgrounds together to discuss women empowerment and mindfulness through a fun workout called Vixen Workout. The event was filled with an amazing workout, laughter, self-care, and a heartwarming discussion on mindfulness and women empowerment.
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."
"It was refreshing and beneficial. I felt like I could really use this for both me and my students."
"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."
"The breathing and grounding techniques could be used in my classroom. Teaching students with special needs, sometimes they are unable to control their emotions. I used a cool down corner in my class and will definitely add and apply these new breathing techniques learned too."
Awards
Bergen County K-8 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.