
Vanessa Perez
CIVIC ENGAGEMENT DIRECTOR
Vanessa Perez is a passionate community leader and civic engagement expert who has dedicated her career to empowering young LatinX individuals and educating them on issues impacting their communities. Born and raised in South Phoenix, Arizona, Vanessa grew up in a large Mexican household. Her parents migrated to Arizona from Sonora and Sinaloa, Mexico at a young age, and they instilled in her a strong sense of community and social responsibility.
Vanessa joined Mi Familia Vota as the Civic Engagement Director in 2022, overseeing the organization’s youth leadership, citizenship programs, and advocacy efforts. With a Bachelor of Science in Criminology and Criminal Justice, a certificate in Homeland Security, and a minor in Spanish from Arizona State University, she is well-equipped to tackle the challenges facing her community. Additionally, Vanessa earned her Master of Arts in Criminal Justice from ASU.
In her free time, Vanessa enjoys supporting local restaurants, traveling to different islands, and spending time with her family. She is also an avid boxing enthusiast and enjoys the physical and mental challenges that come with the sport. Vanessa has a deep desire to travel to all of Latin America to learn and explore different cultures, and she hopes to use her experiences to continue to empower and educate her community for years to come.