Vanessa Farley (she/they) brings an engineering and management background to her work supporting Tribes across Indian Country. Vanessa is passionate about developing community-driven energy solutions and strongly believes that improving access to capital is critical to advancing Tribal self-determination. She is currently an Energy Planning Manager at Woven Energy, a consulting firm that specializes in providing energy planning, development, and utility formation support to Tribes. Vanessa has supported dozens of communities pursuing solar and other renewable energy initiatives, translating economic development priorities into energy strategies and technically vetted project concepts. Vanessa previously served as Director of Energy Programs at the Midwest Tribal Energy Resources Association, where she led strategic energy planning and implementation for the 35 Midwest Tribes developing solar projects under the $62 million Solar for All program.
Vanessa received a BS in Manufacturing Engineering from Stanford, with a minor in Comparative Studies in Race and Ethnicity. She is a certified Project Management Professional and Mechanical Engineer-in-Training, previously served on Slipstream’s Board of Directors, and is working toward the CFA Institute’s Investment Foundations certificate. Vanessa is an enrolled member of the Chippewa Cree Tribe of Rocky Boy Indians. Born and raised in Alaska with roots in Montana and West Virginia, she now lives in Montpelier, Vermont, with her fiancé Cam.