Vanesa Contreras Rodríguez, VP of Programs & Impact at New Pathways for Youth, Receives Be A Leader Foundation Alumni Award

Phoenix, AZ – February 18, 2026 

At New Pathways for Youth, we believe in the power of relationships—and in what becomes possible when a young person is met with belief, opportunity, and community. That is why we are proud to share that Vanesa Contreras Rodríguez, our Vice President of Programs & Impact, has been honored with the Be A Leader Foundation Alumni Award. 

The Alumni Award recognizes a Be A Leader alumnus whose journey reflects the lasting impact of mentorship, access, and support. This former student and scholarship recipient has transformed opportunity into achievement—successfully navigating postsecondary education, building a meaningful professional path, and carrying forward a deep commitment to service. Their story is not only one of personal success, but of purpose: a responsibility to open doors for those who follow. As a role model for current students, this honoree embodies Be A Leader’s legacy, proving that when we invest in young people, we create leaders who shape the future and strengthen the communities they come from. 

Be A Leader Foundation will also recognize two outstanding community leaders: Community Advocate for Education Award recipient Anna Maria Chávez, President & CEO of the Arizona Community Foundation, and Founders’ Legacy Award recipient Nikki Alward, Director of Student Achievement at Phoenix Union High School District. These awards will be presented on March 4, and we are grateful that Vanesa is being distinguished alongside such admirable peers.

“Vanesa represents everything we hope for our students – grit, purpose, and a deep commitment to lifting others as she climbs.  As a Be A Leader alumna and former scholarship recipient, she turned access into achievement and achievement into service.  In her leadership at New Pathways for Youth, she reflects the very heart of our mission: investing in young people so they can rise, lead, and open doors for others” said Soilo J. Felix, President and CEO of Be a Leader Foundation. “We are incredibly proud to honor her as a true example of our legacy in action.” 

Vanesa Contreras Rodríguez, M.Ed., is the Vice President of Programs & Impact at New Pathways for Youth, where she drives transformative outcomes for youth by aligning proven programs—from NPFY’s signature mentoring program, Level Up, to the classroom-based Level Up Academy—with organizational strategy, equity, and innovation. A powerful connector and advocate for youth, mentors, and families, Vanesa cultivates meaningful partnerships and leverages data to strengthen long-term impact. By stewarding resources effectively and developing a high-performing, future-ready Programs team, she fuels sustainable growth and life-changing opportunities for young people across the Valley. 

Vanesa holds a Master’s degree in Education, Leadership in Higher Education from the University of Washington and a Bachelor of Science in Business Entrepreneurship from Arizona State University. Prior to joining NPFY, she served in key leadership roles at Bottom Line and the Washington State Opportunity Scholarship, where she advanced inclusive college access initiatives, developed curriculum, and led large-scale mentorship and recruitment efforts for historically excluded student communities. 

“Vanesa brings a rare combination of strategic leadership, deep heart, and bold vision,” said Karen Johnson, President and CEO of New Pathways for Youth. “She elevates our work every day—strengthening our programs, inspiring our team, and ensuring our youth and families are always at the center of everything we do.” 

Beyond her professional leadership, Vanesa is deeply committed to service and community engagement. She serves as a WeGrad Facilitator for Access ASU, ASU’s premier family education and engagement program dedicated to enhancing academic success, and is a former mentor for Los Diablos, the official Latino chapter of Arizona State University. A proud first-generation college graduate—and the first woman in her family to earn a graduate degree—Vanesa embodies the resilience and excellence she helps cultivate in others. She is also a Hispanic Leadership Institute West 2024 alum through Valle del Sol, continuing to expand her impact as a leader rooted in equity, education, and opportunity. 

We are honored to celebrate Vanesa’s well-deserved recognition and grateful to Be A Leader Foundation for continuing to uplift leaders whose stories reflect what is possible when young people are supported with consistency, community, and care.