Vanessa van Goethem-Piela

Vanessa Van Goethem-Piela has extensive work experience in fundraising and development roles. Vanessa currently serves as the Chief Operating Officer at Veterans Community Project since March 2022. Prior to this, they held the position of Chief Development Officer at the same organization from April 2019 to March 2022.

Before joining Veterans Community Project, Vanessa worked at Girl Scouts of NE Kansas & NW Missouri, where they held the role of Chief Philanthropy Officer from August 2016 to April 2019. Prior to this, they were the Director of Fund Development from June 2013 to August 2016. In this role, they were responsible for managing relationships and volunteer support to raise funds for the Girl Scout mission.

Vanessa also has experience working at the DeLaSalle Education Center, where they served as the Director of Development & Communications from April 2006 to May 2013. Before this, they held the position of Associate Director of Development from April 2005 to April 2006 and Public Relations and Special Events Coordinator from November 2001 to April 2005. In these roles, they were involved in various fundraising and marketing activities, including organizing successful fundraising events and cultivating relationships with major donors.

Additionally, Vanessa worked as the Marketing Director at The Children's Museum of Kansas City from November 2000 to November 2001, where they focused on fundraising events and developing the organization's marketing plan. Vanessa started their career as a Leadership Consultant at Alpha Sigma Alpha National Sorority from January 2000 to June 2000, where they provided training and evaluated chapters' effectiveness in various areas.

Overall, Vanessa Van Goethem-Piela has demonstrated strong expertise in fundraising, development, and communications throughout their career.

Vanessa Van Goethem-Piela has a bachelor's degree from Emporia State University. Vanessa attended the university from 1996 to 1999, majoring in French and minoring in Spanish and Ethnic & Gender Studies. In addition, they pursued further education at Benedictine College from 2011 to 2012, earning an Executive Master of Business Administration degree with an emphasis on Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Values-Based Leadership.