Vanessa Olson
Director of Strategic Communications
Vanessa directs the external communication and marketing efforts of the Downtown Austin Alliance. Since joining the organization in 2017, Vanessa has contributed significantly to key projects including the community’s Downtown Vision, two strategic plans, managing the successful 10-year authorization of the Downtown PID. Vanessa has worked to realize the Downtown Vision through co-creation of the organization’s educational events and reports, including the annual Future of Downtown event annual State of Downtown report.
Prior to joining the team, Vanessa spent two years with the Seton Healthcare Family as a project manager. Before moving to Austin, Vanessa spent five years in management and political consulting, focusing on organizational development and grassroots lobbying.
Vanessa’s favorite activates to enjoy downtown are ACL Live shows at the Moody Theatre, walks around Lady Bird Lake and trying the many culinary delights downtown has to discover.