Pace e Bene

Vanessa holds a M.S. from the Institute for Conflict Analysis & Resolution at George Mason University. As a graduate student she worked with the Center for World Religions, Diplomacy & Conflict Resolution, which engages in practice, research and education concerning the contributions of world religions to conflict and to peace.  Her capstone master’s project dealt with the creation of an interactive curriculum for middle school students, based on the nonviolent principles of Martin Luther King Jr.  She also has bachelor degrees in psychology and religious studies from Arizona State University.

Previous to moving to Oakland Vanessa lived in Washington DC and worked with the Abrahamic Family Reunion, a project that offers ways to use psychological and spiritual approaches in reconciling conflicts among Jews, Christians, and Muslims, in the United States.  

In her spare time, Vanessa enjoys playing ping pong, traveling, vegetarian cooking and walking her dogs.