Vanessa Sanchez Shares Her Journey of Resilience, Service, and Community Impact
n the spirit of this year's Hispanic Heritage Month theme, "Unidos, Somos Más" ("Together, We Are More"), Latina Today (MujerLatinaToday.com) and the Hispanic Chamber Cincinnati Foundation are joining forces to celebrate the leadership, accomplishments, lived experiences, cultural strength, and community stewardship of Latinos who are making a difference across the United States.
Lorena Mora-Mowry, of Latina Today Podcasts, sits down with Vanessa Sanchez, B.A., CBA®, Program Manager for Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses at the Workforce Development Center of Cincinnati State Technical and Community College, for an inspiring conversation about her life journey, leadership, and commitment to serving others during the Hispanic Heritage Month 2026 celebration.
Vanessa was born and raised in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, before later moving to Cincinnati.
Growing up in a family that valued culture and hard work, Vanessa began each day at 5:00 a.m. in her grandmother's home. Her grandmother was always awake early, busy with household tasks and setting the tone for the day. Fruit trees surrounded the house, providing fresh juice every morning. It was there that Vanessa learned the importance of love, hard work, and personal effort as the foundation for growth, even when the future was uncertain.
These experiences naturally shaped her into someone others could depend on, trust, and count on to take initiative. As Vanessa explains, "When there was something to be done, I didn't just sit there. I was always ready to solve the problem whenever it arose.”
From an early age, Vanessa learned to be responsible, seek solutions, and adapt to changing circumstances. Those qualities became especially valuable when she immigrated to the United States.
"I learned that adaptation was possible while still staying true to my roots," she says. "I had to adapt, yet I always maintained my cultural identity.”
Today, Vanessa is raising her 17-year-old daughter with those same values. Preserving her cultural heritage has been one of the most important lessons she has passed on. As a result, her daughter has grown up embracing the traditions, values, and sense of identity passed down through generations from her mother and grandmother.
Vanessa holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra (PUCMM) in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, and is a Certified Business Advisor through Kent State University. She also completed additional studies in the Dominican Republic at Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra (PUCMM).
Vanessa first arrived in New York, determined to find opportunities and build a successful future. She came to the United States full of energy and ambition, but she quickly realized that starting over would require perseverance, resourcefulness, and a willingness to learn.
Education was a priority for Vanessa, and one of her first challenges was improving her English. Although she had studied and read English in the Dominican Republic, carrying on a conversation was an entirely different experience. Her aunt, who was living in the United States, encouraged her to speak and respond in English whenever possible. This support helped Vanessa gain confidence, improve her language skills, and adapt to her new environment.
In 2014, Vanessa moved to Cincinnati to work in the staffing industry, helping members of the Hispanic community find employment opportunities. Understanding the different Spanish dialects spoken by people from various countries proved essential in building connections and providing effective support. By recognizing their unique backgrounds, experiences, and needs, she was able to establish trust and help individuals navigate their employment options.
Vanessa worked closely with job seekers, encouraging them to pursue positions that offered long-term growth and advancement opportunities. She understood that while some people searched only for immediate, short-term employment, others were willing to wait for the right opportunity to build a meaningful career and grow within a company.
After two years in the staffing industry, Vanessa met Charolette Harris, who was then the Director of Small Business at the Urban League of Greater Southwestern Ohio. Charlotte became an important mentor to Vanessa, providing guidance and support that contributed significantly to her personal and professional development.
“Charlotte truly helped me grow, not only in my career but also as a professional. Her mentorship had a lasting impact on my journey.”
“That’s when I started to connect the dots,” Vanessa recalls. “I began asking myself: How could I help now that I was starting to understand the community in Cincinnati, particularly the Hispanic community and its diversity? How could I take on a role focused on small businesses? How could I become a recruiter, not for jobs, but for people who were about to begin a new chapter as business owners?
“That perspective helped me recruit and support aspiring entrepreneurs by showing them the potential they had to build their own businesses. I wanted them to see that entrepreneurship was within their reach and not think, ‘Oh, I can’t do this,’ or, ‘That’s too much work.’ Everything worthwhile requires effort.
“Later, while still at the Urban League, I had the opportunity to work with the Women Business Enterprise Council Ohio River Valley (WBEC ORV), helping women obtain certification as women-owned business owners. That experience opened doors for me to organize events and programs for entrepreneurs and connect with people throughout the entrepreneurial ecosystem. I learned about the many resources available to support women-owned businesses and emerging small businesses. I was able to understand how those resources worked and how they could benefit entrepreneurs.”
Vanessa explains that this experience helped her become a bridge between community resources and business owners.
“I learned how to act as a conduit, gathering information and sharing it with entrepreneurs who needed it most. I wanted to make sure people knew where to find the support available to help them succeed.”
Women Business Enterprise Council Ohio River Valley (WBEC ORV) program was led by Sheila A. Mixon, who at that time was the Senior Vice President of Business Development and Entrepreneurship at the Urban League of Greater Southwestern Ohio. Sheila became another important mentor in Vanessa’s professional journey.
“One thing she always told me was, ‘Vanessa, you never come with just a problem. You always bring the solution along with it.’”
“There were many programs we could develop by identifying solutions that could reach and support the community, particularly minority populations, while also strengthening the capabilities of local businesses, especially small businesses here in Cincinnati.”
Another challenge Vanessa has had to overcome is her lifelong shyness.
“I’ve been this way since I was little, even back in school,” she says. “I remember having to stand in front of the class and explain things while everyone watched. When I compare myself now to who I was in high school, I see a completely different person. Sometimes I look back and think, ‘That wasn’t me.’
“Speaking in front of people still takes some effort. I get a little nervous, and there are times when I may stumble over my words or feel that I haven’t fully expressed my ideas. But I’ve learned that connecting with people, sharing information that may help them, and guiding them toward opportunities is more important than being perfect.
“Today, I’m no longer afraid to speak to groups of 30 or 50 people, which is typically the size of our program cohorts. Our most recent graduating class had 36 participants. Public speaking no longer limits my ability to express my ideas, connect with others, or help people find the resources and opportunities they need.”
Speaking about her role, Vanessa Sánchez explains that her work as a program manager encompasses the entire process.
“It involves supporting small businesses every step of the way, from recruitment and the application process to participant selection,” she says. “Much of my work happens behind the scenes, where I help ensure that everyone is in the right place at the right time throughout the program's modules.”
Vanessa describes the program as an ongoing journey rather than a one-time experience. Even after participants graduate, they become part of a national alumni network. To date, more than 18,000 entrepreneurs have completed the program across the country.
The program was launched 15 years ago at LaGuardia Community College in New York to reach 10,000 businesses, a milestone that was ultimately surpassed. Eight years ago, the program was introduced at Cincinnati State College. Vanessa joined the organization last year, and since then, approximately 178 entrepreneurs have completed the program and become alumni.
Vanessa understood Cincinnati’s diverse Hispanic community and dedicated herself to supporting small businesses. She became a recruiter for aspiring entrepreneurs, helping them overcome self-doubt and recognize that every successful venture requires hard work and perseverance.
At the Urban League, she worked with the Women Business Enterprise Council Ohio River Valley (WBEC ORV), where she helped women obtain certification for their businesses as women-owned enterprises. This role allowed her to organize events, develop programs, and build connections throughout the entrepreneurial ecosystem. Through these experiences, she identified valuable resources for women entrepreneurs and emerging small businesses.
Vanessa became a trusted source of information, connecting business owners with the tools, opportunities, and support they needed to succeed. The program, which was led by Sheila A. Mixon, Senior Vice President of Business Development and Entrepreneurship at the Urban League of Greater Southwestern Ohio, played a significant role in Vanessa’s professional development. As one of her mentors, Mixon reinforced a lesson that has stayed with her throughout her career: every problem has a solution, and effective leaders should strive to bring both the challenge and the solution to the table.
Vanessa supports the entire community, not just Latinos. She has overcome her accent and shyness, yet she still has goals to achieve. Her daughter graduates next year, and Vanessa wants to show her that education doesn't end with graduation. She aspires to see more Latinos in the program where she works, especially in New York, where the Latino community is the majority.
Vanessa wants to see many Latinos in the program because the experience is invaluable. She concludes the interview with a piece of advice for the Hispanic community: do not underestimate yourselves. You can achieve more than you think, but everything takes time. Leadership isn't just about titles or having the loudest voice; it involves being present, listening, understanding others' motivations, assuming responsibilities, and being accountable for what you say. It also entails being diligent, acknowledging mistakes, and taking responsibility for fixing them. And, of course, committing.
“Study hard, because you will face stiff competition. No one can take away your knowledge, respect, understanding, listening skills, and humility. I believe that has helped me in my career. Humility is the best quality, and my grandmother taught me that. Be humble, because you don't know what struggles others are facing. Share business information with those who need it. I will always give you whatever you need and whatever I can to help you get where you need to go,” says Vanessa.
Vanessa is recruiting for the upcoming Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program at Cincinnati State;applications close on September 28. The requirements are: having been in business for at least two years, having at least two employees, generating annual revenue or profit of $75,000 in the last year, and being the company owner. There is also a program for women with no employees and $25,000 in revenue. The program is not for startups, but Vanessa can refer them to organizations that help launch businesses. Her favorite saying is: “If you put in the correct effort, you can achieve it.” See you in two years, after you’ve opened your business.
At the conclusion of the interview, Vanessa expressed her gratitude to Sarah Allan, Director of the program, for the opportunity to be part of the organization and contribute to its mission of supporting and empowering small business owners.
Entrepreneurs, aspiring business owners, and early-stage businesses are encouraged to contact HCCUSA's MBAC team for no-cost support and resource connections. Whether exploring a business idea, preparing to launch, or seeking to strengthen an existing business, entrepreneurs can access personalized assistance and valuable resources. To learn more or get started, visit HCCUSA MBAC, email mbac@hccusa.us, or call 51
Mujer Latina Today by Lorena Mora-Mowry
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Lorena Mora-Mowry Podcaster/ Media Production
- September 22, 2026
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