Vanessa Gomez-Alvarado is the Community Engagement and Marketing Coordinator at Blue Zones Project Riverside. She holds a Master’s degree in Public Policy from UC Riverside, where her research focused on addressing food insecurity and extreme heat in the Inland Empire. Her work identified low-cost solutions and processes to tackle these pressing societal and environmental issues.

With a strong background in program coordination, grant writing, and marketing, Vanessa has demonstrated leadership in various roles. In her previous position at the National Latina Business Women Association – Inland Empire Institute (NLBWA-IE), she managed 12 educational programs designed to equip local business owners with the essential knowledge to elevate their businesses. She also played a key role in engaging the community and securing procurement opportunities from local, state, and corporate partners to support the growth of small businesses.

In 2023, Vanessa launched her own business and worked collaboratively with other small business owners to drive sales through targeted social media marketing campaigns. In her downtime, she enjoys rock climbing with friends, playing the guitar, and walking with her dog – Bella.

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