Born and raised in Chicago, Vanessa McKinney attended Walt Disney Magnet and Abraham Lincoln Elementary’s gifted learner programs before graduating with honors in the top 10% of her 500+ member class at Lincoln Park High School. Vanessa attended the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign on full academic scholarship as a Chicago Urban League, George M. Pullman Educational Foundation and Helaine & Edgar Strauss Opportunity Trust scholar. She received a Bachelor of Science in Community Health from the University of Illinois, concentrating in Health Administration, Planning & Education, completed post baccalaureate coursework in Business Administration & Management, and is now preparing to pursue a MBA in Healthcare Management (MBA-HCM). Vanessa has over 10 years of experience in the healthcare industry, and utilizes her business & technology skill sets in her current role as an E-learning System Manager & Developer.

Vanessa began her National Urban League of Young Professionals (NULYP) career as a general member of the Metropolitan Board of the Chicago Urban League (MetroBoard). And in 2019 she won the NULYP Central Region Member of the Year award for her work as MetroBoard’s 2018-2019 Membership Chair. Her strong work ethic and ability to create strategic partnerships with major brands, businesses, non-profit organizations, and premier event curators was instrumental in pioneering new ways to recruit and engage members within MetroBoard. Most recently, Vanessa served as MetorBoard's Vice President for two terms (2019-2021) and received the 2020 NULYP President’s Distinguished Award for her exceptional leadership in the role. 

In the past four years, Vanessa has thoroughly enjoyed collaborating with young professionals in Chicago and NULYP. And she appreciates the confidence they have all shown in her capacity to lead. Dedication, collaboration, and innovation are at the heart of Vanessa’s work, and she now looks forward to serving as the NULYP 2022-2023 National Treasurer.