Vanessa Plant is a senior non-profit leader committed to serving our community through cultivating strategic partnerships and building philanthropic programs. She has ~20 years of nonprofit management experience including program development, fundraising strategy, grant management, donor stewardship, and leading cross functional teams. Prior to joining the ALKU Foundation, Vanessa served as Director of Philanthropy at Boston Scores, the largest site-based afterschool program serving Boston Public Schools.

Prior to that, Vanessa worked closely with ALKU Founder Mark Eldridge and the ALKrew to develop the ALKU Scholarship while working at Mass Mentoring Partnership as the Director of Development and Partnerships. Vanessa is thrilled to join the Foundation as its first leader, to build community partnerships and to contribute to the neighborhoods that surround us. Vanessa grew up in Panama, moved to the Boston area in 1994, and now lives in Medford with her two daughters, Lily and Frankie. She enjoys running, hiking, traveling, volunteering, and spending time with friends and family.

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