Vanessa Baker Rodriguez is a fund development consultant, leadership coach, and founder of Bravely Aligned, a practice that helps nonprofit leaders fundraise and lead with courageous authenticity. She brings two decades of experience in fundraising and leadership, combined with an approach that centers humanity alongside the practical outcomes that matter.
Vanessa began her fundraising career at youth development and outdoor education nonprofits like the YMCA of San Francisco and Outward Bound California, where she grew a one-woman development shop into a four-person team, raising $1.4M annually and launching a $15M capital campaign. She also served as Fundraising Chair then Board Chair of a grassroots nonprofit teaching empowerment-based self-defense.
Vanessa loves facilitating workshops, group programs, and 1:1 engagements that help leaders grow their impact and align their fundraising with values like belonging, joy, and trust. Her work is grounded in the belief that fundraising can be an act of love – and that when leaders ground themselves in their purpose and their values, they create the kind of connections that inspire and sustain generosity.
Vanessa lives in San Francisco’s East Bay with her husband and two plucky daughters, who are currently 3 and 5. When she’s not working, you can find her writing poems, making chocolate chip pancakes, or camping.