Vanessa Collura
“I have a growth mindset. I love helping people. I love explaining things. I’m a teacher by trade. And, I don’t think you need to be standing in a classroom with children to be an effective teacher.”
Vanessa’s empathetic nature shines through in her work as a financial professional. Her journey to DWS is both personal and heartfelt, inspired by her own experience during a pivotal time in her life. This experience allowed her to combine her extensive background in finance, education, and business ownership to help others navigate their financial journeys.
Vanessa grew up in northeast New Jersey in a family of teachers and now lives and works in Florida. “I grew up in a three generational household. My father was born and raised in Italy, and he came to this country when he was 18.” Her father became a high school teacher and later an administrator, while her mother was an elementary school teacher. She recalls, “I remember my parents coming home after school and sitting at the kitchen counter with these homemade biscuits that my grandmother would make that were just die-for-delicious. And they would dip it in their little espresso and talk about their day – what the principal said, what the vice principals said, different experiences. I just remember listening to that and thinking, wow, I want to be a teacher too, because that’s just what I love.” She found that the act of teaching is present in any role she holds. Vanessa brings this perspective into meetings with our clients, educating families on risk management within their retirement plans and the importance of protecting their money.
Before joining DWS, Vanessa worked closely with CEOs and financial executives in New York City, gaining valuable insights into the financial industry. She also owned and operated a Kumon Learning Center for nine years in California, where she managed all aspects of the business, from sales presentations to staff supervision and parent engagement. This experience, coupled with her background as a teacher, has equipped her with exceptional communication skills and a deep understanding of customer needs.
Vanessa joined DWS for its unique boutique and independent experience. “I feel very comfortable with the team here. I can tap into the growth mindset that is part of who I am and utilize all the expertise surrounding me in a very supportive and encouraging way.” Outside of the office, Vanessa prioritizes time with her two children. She has taught them the importance of being money-conscious and is proud to model how to successfully transition through different stages of a career. Vanessa loves international travel, seeking out new beach spots, is fluent in French and Italian, and is “always on the hunt for good pizza!”