Vanessa Patterson-Bancroft
Lockport,NY
Summary
Engagement, Belonging & Organizational Change Leader Strategic leader with 20+ years of experience designing and implementing engagement, belonging, and culture initiatives across complex organizations. Proven ability to partner with senior leaders, integrate people strategies with organizational goals, and drive sustainable change through data-informed decision-making. Brings deep expertise in engagement measurement, cross-functional collaboration, facilitation, and systems-level transformation. Recognized for building trust, increasing engagement outcomes, and leading change in high-accountability environments.
Overview
6
6
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Principal
Maryvale Intermediate School
12.2023 - Current
- Lead organizational engagement strategy for a workforce of 70+ employees, aligning people practices with institutional goals and performance outcomes.
- Partner with leadership teams to embed inclusive, relationship-centered practices into daily operations, talent development, and performance management.
- Design and deliver enterprise-level professional development focused on engagement, psychological safety, belonging, and leadership capacity.
- Developed measurement systems to track engagement, attendance, and satisfaction, resulting in a 35% increase in attendance within one year.
- Achieved the highest levels of employee satisfaction through intentional engagement strategies, clear communication, and trust-based leadership.
- Serve as senior instructional and people leader, managing performance, coaching growth, and navigating complex change initiatives.
Founder & Organizational Wellness Consultant
Peaceful Pastures Counseling
11.2022 - Current
- Design and facilitate engagement, wellness, and leadership development initiatives for organizations and teams.
- Deliver strategic workshops focused on resilience, culture, and sustainable performance.
- Partner with leadership to align employee well-being with organizational outcomes.
District Mental Health & Crisis Response Coordinator
Lockport City School District
09.2019 - 12.2023
- Designed and executed districtwide engagement and belonging initiatives across 8 schools, serving over 600 staff members.
- Partnered with senior administrators and HR leadership to integrate trauma-informed and restorative practices into talent systems and operational strategy.
- Built data-informed frameworks to assess engagement, identify gaps, and guide strategic adjustments.
- Led cross-functional collaboration between HR, leadership teams, external agencies, and community partners.
- Served as a trusted advisor to senior leaders during organizational change, crisis response, and policy implementation.
Education
Master of Science - Social Work
University of New England
Biddeford, ME12-2018
Master of Science - Educational Leadership And Management
University At Buffalo
Buffalo, NY05-2024
Skills
- Engagement & Belonging Strategy Design
- Organizational Change Management
- Cross-Functional Integration
- Executive & Senior Leader Partnership
- Measurement Frameworks & Data Analysis
- People Strategy & Talent Systems
- Facilitation & Strategic Planning
- Risk Awareness & Compliance Alignment
- Manager & Team Leadership
- Employee Experience & Journey Mapping
Certification
- NYS School Building Leader Certification
- Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
- Trauma-Informed Schools Trainer (IIRP Certified)
- Advanced Training in Systems Change, Facilitation, and Assessment
Timeline
Principal
Maryvale Intermediate School
12.2023 - Current
Founder & Organizational Wellness Consultant
Peaceful Pastures Counseling
11.2022 - Current
District Mental Health & Crisis Response Coordinator
Lockport City School District
09.2019 - 12.2023
Master of Science - Social Work
University of New England
Master of Science - Educational Leadership And Management
University At Buffalo