Vanessa is Head of Nursing Leadership at the Royal College of Nursing's Leadership Academy, part of the RCN Institute of Nursing Excellence.

She designs and delivers leadership programmes that help nurses build the confidence, capability and influence to shape care across the system.

Her career spans acute and integrated care, higher education and workforce development. She has served as a Director of Education in integrated urgent care and led postgraduate programmes at King’s College London and the University of Essex. This blend of clinical, academic and strategic experience shapes her view of leadership as something people grow into when the conditions around them allow it.

Vanessa brings an equity-focused and organisational lens to her work. She is committed to creating environments where every nurse can thrive and lead. Her published work on imposter phenomenon among nurses reflects a long interest in the barriers that hold capable people back. She holds an Executive MBA from King’s College London and an MSc in Healthcare Management. She is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, a visiting lecturer at King’s College London and an Associate of King’s College.