Vanessa Lopez Morales

Vanessa Lopez-Morales is the Associate Program Director at Communities In Schools of Los Angeles (CISLA), overseeing programs and staff at Hamilton High School, Belmont High School, Webster Middle School, John Liechty Middle School, and Carver Middle School. In this role, she supports site teams in strengthening student support services, building meaningful community partnerships, and advancing CISLA’s mission to surround students with a community of support.

Before stepping into this role, Vanessa served as Site Director at Hamilton High School for three years, where she led student support initiatives, implemented social–emotional learning groups, and helped coordinate the Summer Bridge Program. Her earlier experience includes serving as a Case Manager for Safe Place for Youth, where she supported transitional-aged youth with housing and stability resources. She also worked at the Los Angeles Film School in Accounts Receivable and Financial Aid, gaining valuable experience in student services and higher education access.

Vanessa earned her B.A. in Critical Race and Ethnic Studies from UC Santa Cruz and her Master’s in Social Work from the University of Southern California, with an emphasis in Social Change and Innovation. Outside of work, she enjoys hiking and traveling, which brings creativity and balance to her life.