Vanessa Kritzer

Vanessa Kritzer has a diverse work experience spanning various industries and roles. In 2007, they worked as a Youth Project Coordinator at Tu, Mujer, Inc. before transitioning to Grassroots Campaigns in 2008 as a Canvass Director for a DNC Campaign. From 2009 to 2012, Vanessa served as the Communications Director/Senior Program Associate at The Latin America Working Group, where they led a coalition advocating for human rights in U.S.-Latin America policy and corporate practices.

In 2012, Vanessa joined the League of Conservation Voters as the Director of Digital Strategy, responsible for managing the organization's online presence. Vanessa then worked at Microsoft from 2016 to 2020, first as an Audience Marketing Manager Intern and later as a Microsoft Government Industry Team MBA Consultant. At Microsoft, they also held the role of Healthcare Global Engagement Program Lead and CityNext Business Development Manager.

In 2014, Vanessa became a State Endorsement Chair & Board Member for the NWPC of Washington at the National Women's Political Caucus. Vanessa continued their political involvement by becoming a Regent at the University of Washington from 2015 to 2016.

In 2017, Vanessa joined Microsoft once again, this time working in the healthcare sector as the Healthcare Global Engagement Program Lead and later transitioning to the role of CityNext Business Development Manager. In 2018, they became a Planning Commissioner at the City of Redmond, WA, and in 2019, they joined the City Council as a Councilmember. In 2022, Vanessa was appointed as the City Council Vice President and later became the City Council President. Additionally, in 2022, they took on the role of Executive Director at the Washington Association of Land Trusts.

Vanessa Kritzer completed their Bachelor of Arts degree in Latin American and Latino/a Studies and Political Science at Vassar College from 2004 to 2008. Vanessa then pursued further education and obtained a Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree in Public Policy and Management from the Evans School of Public Policy & Governance at the University of Washington from 2014 to 2017. Additionally, they completed a Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) degree from the University of Washington's Michael G. Foster School of Business from 2015 to 2017.