Vanessa's journey to becoming a professional actor began while she was working on a commercial tuna-fishing vessel, a hundred miles off the Oregon coast, where she had a profound realization that sparked her passion for acting.
Most recently, she has made a notable appearance in Osgood Perkin's horror-thriller, Longlegs, which has garnered significant attention in the film industry.
Her extensive television work includes a range of prominent roles, such as her portrayal of Frida Novikov in The Flash (2014),as well as her appearances in Freeform's Motherland: Fort Salem (2020) and Best Friend's Betrayal (2019),where she starred alongside Mary Grill as the titular "best friend".
Furthermore, Vanessa was part of the talented ensemble in the short film A.T.A.C.K. (2022),directed by Nathalie Boltt, which she also co-produced with her husband, Nelson Leis.
Throughout her career, Vanessa has received rigorous training in acting from renowned institutions, including The Globe Theatre and The London International School of Performing Arts in London, as well as The University of Minnesota/Guthrie Theatre BFA Actor Training Program.
In her personal life, Vanessa shares a loving relationship with her husband, Nelson, and together they have a beautiful daughter named Stella.
