Vanessa Whitney

Vanessa Abukusumo-Whitney is President and CEO VMedia a marketing and communications company specializing in full service public relations and the creation of branded events with purpose.

In her capacity as Director of Corporate Communications for the U.S. arm of the largest watch company in the world, the premier engagement jeweler in the US and the largest Jewish community center on the Eastern Seaboard. Vanessa was charged with strategic counsel for the brands in her stable; She has hosted international events for domestic and foreign media, managed executive media interface; and worked with celebrity endorsements; She is adept at creating solutions for brand integration, global marketing partnerships, partnership marketing, new business development and promotion strategies. Meanwhile as a single mother of three she was vested in guiding her young daughters and son through the training and development that would allow them to become recipients of college degrees through athletic scholarships.

Her journey included becoming a referee, chaperone, advocate and consultant. The perception that East Coast volleyball was far behind the rest of the US hindered recruitment of local athletes. However, having spent many days watching practice and attending tournaments Vanessa realized that this was indeed a misconception. Her response was to launch the North Atlantic Volleyball Showcase. The NAVS combine was created to take on the mission of providing high school volleyball players with the opportunity to exhibit their skills in front of college coaches. In the five years since its inception $27.5 million scholarship dollars have been awarded to volleyball players who have participated in her showcases.

2013 will see the launch of the Annual NYC Liberty Games - Fabulous to Fierce complete with 10 invited international teams. This special project integrates The Passion Points of Teen Marketing: Music, Fashion, Sports and Technology. We want to connect companies to an often forgotten demographic: The Female Teen Athlete with real world, real time marketing opportunities. The Mission is to change marketing to female athletes from a "SECOND THOUGHT to SECOND NATURE"!