Vanessa Vega serves as the Kern Volunteer Coordinator for the Civic Engagement Department at the Dolores Huerta Foundation, overseeing volunteer recruitment, training, and supervision to ensure volunteers are aligned with the organization’s goals.
Originally from the Bay Area, Vanessa moved to the Central Valley in order to be able to uproot her personal and professional life after graduating first-generation from the University of California, Santa Barbara, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology with a minor in Feminist Studies. At the age of 16, Vanessa served as Vice President of the Key Club at her local high school and was part of the community service committee for the Associated Student Body. Her love for volunteerism transferred over to college, in which she served as Community Service Chair for La Familia De Colores at UCSB, which is an LGBTQ+ organization that serves as a safe space for Latinx/Chicanx students and provides cultural, academic, financial, and emotional support. During her time there, she recognized just how important community really is.
Though facing multiple adversities throughout her life, Vanessa persevered and found herself with the opportunity to serve as a Team Lead and Surveyor at the Dolores Huerta Foundation, which enabled her to grow into the leader she is. During her time as a surveyor, Vanessa made connections with residents of Wasco, Lamont, Bakersfield, and Weedpatch, which ignited her heart and mind even more to fight for the people. Inspired by the resilience of Dolores Huerta, Vanessa is honored to be here. The foundation served as a light for her during a pivotal transition in her life, and in turn, she is eager to advocate for the misrepresented, to demand what is rightfully ours under a fair representation, and to inspire others to rise up as well.
She is based in Bakersfield, California.
