Wilmington's 40 Under 40 Class of 2021: Vanessa Gonzalez
Age: 35
Birthplace: Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin
Employer: The Law Office of Vanessa A. Gonzalez PLLC
Job title: President/Attorney
Family: Son, Max, 8
Education: Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Spanish from the University of North Carolina-Pembroke (2007), Juris Doctor degree from UNC Chapel Hill School of Law (2011).
What community and professional groups are you affiliated with? I am vice president of the board for the YWCA, and on the boards of Going Beyond the Pink and Feast Down East and a former board member of Soaring as Eagles. I am a member of New Hanover for All, Latino Alliance community member, Coastal Women Attorneys, and the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA).
What are your guiding principles? See the humanity in others and lead with compassion.
More: Wilmington's 40 Under 40 Award recipients receive recognition
How do you volunteer your time in the community? Aside from my board involvement, I have volunteered for several years at GLOW with the YWCA's REACH Afterschool program, as well as with Lawyers for Literacy reading with and mentoring students at Snipes, Gregory and Freeman Elementary Schools. I regularly sponsor and volunteer at/provide pro bono legal advice at local community events including: Festival Latino, community events at the MLK Center and Boys and Girls Clubs, Dancin' in the Park, holiday festivals hosted by City of Wilmington Parks and Recs. I have provided volunteer translations for the city's recreational programs. I have provided several Know Your Rights and educational presentations at UNCW and local churches. I have been involved in our local Campaign to End Cash Bail, and provided pro bono legal defense to protesters alongside Emancipate NC. I regularly visit a Spanish Service Learning class at UNCW to present on immigration law, and host student interns to gain exposure to the field.
Who has helped you achieve success in your life and career? My parents who sacrificed tirelessly in the military and afterward to make sure that my sister and I made it as first-generation college students; my sister Danielle, who is an HR genius and the most organized person I know; my mentor/former professor Dr. Liliana Tiffert, who taught me Spanish and so much about life; my right-hand woman and protégé Francesca, who has helped run my firm for many years; my community of attorney colleagues; my social justice organizing cohorts; and last but certainly not least, my clients for putting their trust in me to handle their cases and whose approvals give me so much fulfillment and motivation to keep fighting!
What goal would you like to accomplish before turning 40? I would like to pay off my student loans.
What's your favorite book? "Milk and Honey" by Rupi Kaur
What are your hobbies? Singing/karaoke, gardening, and painting
What's your most prized possession? My late grandmother's rosary
If you had a theme song for your life, what would it be? "Superwoman" by Alicia Keys.
This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Wilmington NC's 40 Under 40: Vanessa Gonzalez
