Vanessa Mukhebi
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Vanessa Mukhebi (She/Her)
Communications Manager
Chicago, IL
Vanessa Mukhebi serves as Communications Manager at ReFED, leading creative communications execution and brand strategy across the organization. Before joining ReFED, Vanessa worked in the international NGO sector, creating multimedia content and inclusive interventions to promote improved nutrition, climate-smart agriculture, gender equity, and poverty alleviation across sub-Saharan Africa. Vanessa is the Vice Board Chair on the Auxiliary Board of Inspiration Corporation, a nonprofit offering a broad array of programs designed to support individuals and families in Chicago experiencing houselessness, hunger, and employment barriers. She is passionate about indigenous food systems and the cultural dimensions of food security. Vanessa holds a Master of Art in Anthropology (Food) from the University of Chicago and a Bachelor in Media and Communication, Sociology and Anthropology from the University of Sydney in Australia.
Connect with me about
Global development; Youth empowerment; Public speaking; Human-centered design; Social justice
Speaking Engagements
Conferences: SXSW (2024 and 2025); University of Chicago GRADUcon (2025); Bread for the World policy briefing (2024); TEDxYouth (2016)
Awards and Honors
VERGE 24 Emerging Leader Award; Hallbars Awards, National Winner for USA - G06 Food Waste (2022)
Associations
Inspiration Corporation, Vice Board Chair; Food Recovery and Culinary Advisory Committee, Member; Chicago Refettorio (Food for Soul and Inspiration Corporation), Member; North American Food Systems Network Leadership Circle, Member; Black Food and Agricultural Professionals, Member
Fun Facts
Languages Spoken: English, Swahili (conversational), Dutch (conversational), ASL (beginner)
Favorite Food: Mangoes
Favorite Quote: "If you think you're too small to make a difference, you clearly have never spent a night with a mosquito." - African proverb
Favorite Book: The Untethered Soul: The Journey Beyond Yourself by Michael Alan Singer
Favorite Things: Being a “Funtie” (fun auntie) to "Pistachio" (her nephew)
Food She Struggles the Most Not to Waste: Arugula
Other Links
ReFED's work is made possible with generous support from and in partnership with our funders.