Vanessa facilitates data-driven decision making through research and teaching, focusing on the role of multi-sector, evidenced-based solutions in addressing persistent social, environmental, and economic issues. She serves as Research Director at the Idaho Policy Institute at Boise State University, where she earned her PhD, and is an Adjunct Professor at Presidio Graduate School in San Francisco. As Policy Innovation Fellow for the City of Boise she conducted a feasibility assessment on using Pay for Success financing to address issues associated with chronic homelessness. She currently leads the evaluation team for New Path Community Housing, a Housing First program in Ada County, Idaho.