Vanessa Barry is the founder and principal of Mariposa Consulting Group, which partners with schools and networks at the intersection of recruitment, enrollment, and operations to ensure classrooms are filled so leaders can focus on their vision.

From 2020–2023, Vanessa served as Chief Operating Officer for KIPP Texas Public Schools, overseeing over 15 departments for the 59-school network. Prior to KIPP, Vanessa led IDEA Public Schools through exponential growth (12 schools to 120) over 10 years, pioneering approaches for education marketing, enrollment, and new community entry now used throughout the country.

She lives in San Antonio, Texas with her husband and two children.