Vanessa Perez, MBA, CPRW
Vanessa Perez, MBA, CPRW, is a dedicated career development professional based in Colorado Springs, Colorado, with a strong track record in operations management and workforce development. Raised in Pueblo, Colorado, by a single mother and becoming a teenage mother herself, Vanessa overcame significant challenges early in life. She earned her MBA with Magna Cum Laude honors from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi and is currently pursuing a Doctor of Education in Applied Learning Sciences at the University of Miami, where her research focuses on improving career outcomes for non-traditional learners.
Vanessa’s professional experience spans over a decade, including roles in emergency response coordination and customer service optimization. At Xcel Energy, she served as a Customer Emergency Response Specialist, managing crisis situations across eight states while implementing LEAN Six Sigma process improvements and vendor negotiations that saved over $500,000 annually. She is recognized for her leadership in operational excellence, earning the “Operational Excellence Award” in 2019. Her expertise includes career services, resume writing, interview preparation, workforce development, and professional networking skills.
Currently, Vanessa oversees career services at Colorado Technical University’s Colorado Springs and Aurora campuses, providing comprehensive support to both students and alumni. She designs and delivers monthly workshops on career readiness topics, typically attracting over 350 participants, while managing all aspects of research, presentation development, and marketing. Committed to empowering others, Vanessa has helped hundreds of students launch their careers and plans to launch a nonprofit organization dedicated to career readiness pathways for at-risk teens and women fleeing domestic violence.
• Certified Professional Resume Writer
• Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi - MBA
• Magna Cum Laude
• Operational Excellence Award
• Honor Society at University of Miami
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to determination, a goal-oriented mindset, and a commitment to excellence. Despite facing early-life adversity, I persevered, recognizing that education could transform my trajectory. My dedication to learning and continual growth has been a cornerstone in shaping the opportunities and achievements I have today.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received is to stand up for what I believe in, remain eager to learn, and pursue my passions wholeheartedly. I’ve learned not to let obstacles deter me from achieving success and to approach every challenge as an opportunity for growth.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering the industry is to embrace change and view every experience—including mistakes—as an opportunity to learn and grow. Strive to be an effective team leader, and cultivate the skill of active listening, as it is essential for building strong, collaborative relationships.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest opportunities in my field right now is the ability to support more individuals in advancing their careers and growing their businesses, helping them reach their full potential and continue excelling in their areas of expertise.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that guide me in both my work and personal life are openness and honesty, treating others with respect, and going the extra mile in everything I do. I strive to be a collaborative team player and to make a meaningful difference every day.
Locations
Colorado Technical University
Pueblo, CO 81005