Vanessa Briseño joined The Lemelson Foundation in 2022 as Communications Officer and is responsible for shaping and implementing impactful communications and influence strategies across the Foundation’s work as well as core initiatives. She develops compelling narratives that underscore the Foundation’s work to cultivate the next generation of inventors and invention-based enterprises. Her efforts amplify the reach and impact of the Foundation’s key strategies: Invention Education, Invention & Entrepreneurship, and Climate Action, ensuring they resonate with global audiences.
A highly seasoned professional with more than two decades of experience, Briseño’s career background encompasses strategic communications, marketing, and sophisticated partnership development across the philanthropic, nonprofit, and corporate landscapes. This diverse experience — which includes The Times Mirror Foundation, the Los Angeles Times and The Annenberg Foundation — allows her to approach communications with a unique and well-rounded perspective, ensuring messages are tailored for maximum impact and reach.
Beyond her role at the Foundation, Briseño is dedicated to community engagement, serving on the boards of directors of the Nonprofit Association of Oregon and Latino Founders. When she’s not experimenting with new recipes, she can be found diving into a good book and conquering the daily Wordle challenge.