- Emerging Leader Award
School Year Abroad (SYA) is pleased to announce Vanessa Ramirez ES’01 as a recipient of the inaugural Emerging Leader Award. Vanessa’s remarkable leadership and passion for disrupting the cradle-to-prison pipeline exemplify SYA's core values of academic excellence, cultural awareness and global understanding. She attended SYA as a junior from Episcopal High School in Texas.
Vanessa’s journey from bilingual classrooms in an underserved Houston community to leading transformative change in the juvenile justice system is nothing short of inspiring. As the Director of Strategic Partnerships for the Harris County Juvenile Probation Department, Vanessa has revolutionized how justice-involved youth are supported. Her efforts have garnered national attention, with federal grants being issued to replicate her work across the country.
Her commitment to creating a brighter future for young people is evident in her work as the founder of 8 Million Stories, a Houston-based nonprofit dedicated to providing justice-involved youth with educational and vocational opportunities. Her work with WorkTexas Training Center further extends her impact, helping youth in the juvenile justice system gain the skills and opportunities they need to succeed in the workforce.
Vanessa’s career is filled with notable achievements that have transformed both her local community and influenced national policy. Under her leadership, the workforce training program for the Harris County Juvenile Probation Department has expanded five- to sixfold, becoming the preferred remedy for youth in the justice system. Her innovative programs have not only reduced recidivism rates but have also inspired judges, policymakers, and community leaders to support holistic, rehabilitative solutions over punitive measures.
In addition to her work in juvenile justice, Vanessa has co-founded multiple organizations that serve her community. Her contributions have been recognized with numerous accolades, including the Comcast Hispanic Hero Award and fellowships such as the Bezos Scholars Program and Pahara-Aspen NextGen Fellowship.
Vanessa’s academic journey, which began as an English as a Second Language (ESL) student in Houston, took her to Occidental College, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Economics, Business and Management. After a stint in financial consulting, Vanessa followed her passion for education, working for KIPP schools and dedicating her career to uplifting marginalized youth.
Her deep understanding of cultural awareness, driven by her own experiences as a student at SYA Spain, continues to inspire her work today. She bridges divides between different groups in Houston, bringing people together to solve some of the community's most pressing challenges.
“Vanessa exemplifies what it means to be a leader in today’s world,” said Henry Gonzalez, Chief of the Harris County Juvenile Probation Department. “Her commitment to justice, education and workforce development has transformed lives and created a model for other communities to follow. SYA is proud to honor Vanessa Ramirez with the Emerging Leader Award and celebrate her extraordinary contributions to her community, her innovative approach to justice reform and her ongoing commitment to building a better tomorrow.