Vanessa Briseño joined The Lemelson Foundation in 2022 to help tell the stories of the people inventing a better future. As Communications Officer, she shapes the narratives that drive the Foundation’s biggest goals — from fostering the next generation of inventors to driving real-world climate solutions. Vanessa brings more than two decades of experience across the philanthropic, nonprofit, and corporate sectors, a background that gives her a unique perspective on how much more we can achieve when we all row in the same direction. She believes that we solve big problems faster when different sectors work together, and she uses that lens to create the messaging that unites partners around the Foundation’s vision for a more inventive and sustainable future.
Before joining the Foundation, Vanessa served as the Senior Director of Strategic Communications for the Portland Metro Chamber, where she acted as a lead voice for the region’s business community and managed complex, multi-faceted communication plans. She also served as the Chief Development and Communications Officer for Catholic Charities of Oregon, leading a diverse team across donor engagement, communications, and volunteerism. Earlier in her career, she honed a deep understanding of the philanthropic sector as a Program Officer for both The Annenberg Foundation and The Times Mirror Foundation, where she managed philanthropic initiatives, grantmaking, and public/private partnerships.
Vanessa continues to put her passion for community into practice by serving on the boards of the Nonprofit Association of Oregon and Latino Founders.
When she isn’t brainstorming communication strategies, you can find her experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen, diving into a good book, or protecting her hard-earned daily Wordle streak.