Vanessa Ames
Board Chair, AVDA | Nonprofit Leader | Former Chief Creative & Strategy Officer
- Role
- Executive Board Member at Crime Stoppers Of Houston
- Location
- Houston, TX, US
- LinkedIn followers
- 500 followers
About Vanessa Ames
With more than two decades in advertising and marketing, I’ve traded campaigns for causes—bringing a strategic, creative lens to work that feels a lot more personal. I serve on the Executive Board of Crime Stoppers of Houston, the Board of the Southern Smoke Foundation, and the Development Committee for the Houston Zoo. I’m also the Board Chair of AVDA (Aid to Victims of Domestic Abuse). Across each of these, my focus is simple: push for smart, meaningful fundraising, support the people doing the real work, and help build systems that actually show up for the communities they serve.After a career partnering with brands like Bank of America, BMW, and Nationwide—and a few others along the way—I stepped away in 2023 to go all in on community impact. Since then, I’ve led and supported a range of fundraising efforts, including the 2020 Home Safe Home Gala, Zoo Ball, the Throwdown Society Black-Tie Boxing Gala, and the reinvention of the Raise ’Em Up for Texas Gala benefiting Crime Stoppers of Houston. I also chaired Decanted for the Southern Smoke Foundation for two consecutive years—both record-breaking, which still feels a little surreal (AND if you know, you know).At the end of the day, I care deeply about showing up for people when it matters—especially women, children, and families navigating hard moments. I live in Houston with my husband, Chuck, our twins, Charlie and Ruby, and our dogs, Louie and Birdie.If it involves good people, a strong mission, and the chance to make something better—I’m in.
Experience
Executive Board Member
Nov 2024 — Present · Houston, TX, US
Education
Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania
BA, Marketing
1999 — 2003
Richmond American University London
Advertising
2001 — 2002
Skills
- Brand Development
- Digital Media
- Digital Strategy
- Digital Marketing
- Online Advertising
- Direct Marketing
- Creative Strategy
- Integrated Marketing
- Email Marketing
- Mobile Marketing
- Interactive Marketing
- Social Media Marketing
- Advertising
- Marketing Communications
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