Her Story
About Vanessa
Vanessa Tovar is a dedicated Human Services professional currently serving as an Intensive Case Manager at Bridge to Home, SCV in Santa Clarita, California. With approximately eight years of experience in the social services field, Vanessa has developed a strong commitment to supporting individuals facing complex life challenges through compassionate care coordination, crisis intervention, and resource navigation. In her current role, she provides intensive case management services, helps clients connect with essential community resources, and supports the use of digital tools and clinical workflows to improve service delivery and client outcomes.
Vanessa earned a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies with a minor in Human Resource Management from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. Her professional journey includes experience as a Mental Health Counselor, Benefits Specialist, Behavioral Interventionist, and educator, allowing her to work with diverse populations across different age groups and levels of need. Vanessa has received crisis de-escalation training and specializes in developing strong interpersonal relationships, maintaining attention to detail, and approaching her work with dedication, persistence, and a trauma-informed perspective.
Beyond her career, Vanessa is passionate about community service, professional development, and creating positive connections with others. She has volunteered with organizations such as the San Fernando Valley Community Mental Health Center Incorporated and participated in NAMI-related activities to support mental health awareness. Vanessa is also involved with the Association for Talent Development of Orange County, contributing to its marketing team. Outside of work, she enjoys dancing, attending family gatherings, visiting theme parks, and discovering new foods. She attributes her success to the support of her twin sister, the values of independence and perseverance taught by her parents, and her commitment to transparency, ethics, kindness, authenticity, and continuous learning.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Vanessa
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to the support and values instilled in me by my family, especially my twin sister, who has always been a source of encouragement and reassurance. My parents raised us to be independent and taught me the importance of hard work, honesty, and taking responsibility for my own growth. I believe my willingness to keep learning, overcome challenges, and create opportunities for myself has been essential to my success.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I have received is to allow people the opportunity to learn from their own experiences, even when it means making mistakes along the way. Sometimes, the greatest lessons come from challenges we face ourselves. I have also learned the importance of continuously improving, staying diligent, and pushing myself to grow. Once I have mastered a skill, I believe it is important to seek new challenges and continue advancing in my career.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering my industry is to establish clear boundaries early on with clients and management while staying aware of their responsibilities and value. It is important to care deeply about the people you serve, but also prioritize your own well-being and happiness. Always have something outside of work that brings you joy, whether it is a hobby, a trip, or personal goals, because maintaining balance is essential. Your career is meaningful, but it should also support your growth, dreams, and future. Do not feel guilty for pursuing new opportunities—continuing to grow and invest in yourself is part of success.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in my field right now is the lack of funding and resources available to support clients, along with the need for greater education and awareness to reduce the stigma surrounding social services. Social service professionals often take on many responsibilities, from advocacy to helping clients navigate essential needs, but the workload and compensation do not always match the impact of the work. Despite these challenges, this field offers great opportunities, especially for recent graduates, by building valuable skills in communication, problem-solving, and advocacy while creating meaningful change in people’s lives.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that are most important to me in my work are transparency and ethics. I believe in being honest, open, and accountable in the way I communicate and work with others. In my personal life, I value kindness, authenticity, and curiosity. I believe in staying true to myself, embracing who I am, and never letting the opinions of others limit what I want to pursue. I also believe that you are never too old to learn, grow, or explore new interests, and my passion for knowledge and continuous learning is something I deeply value.
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