Vanessa Vergara

Vanessa Vergara is a Client Manager and lobbyist at Capitol Advocacy Partners, where she combines public health education with federal advocacy expertise to help nonprofit organizations and local governments navigate complex federal policies and advance community priorities. Her work focuses on adolescent health, particularly youth violence prevention and access to trauma-informed services in marginalized communities. Vanessa also engages with members of Congress and federal agencies to support initiatives that strengthen community services and position organizations competitively for grant funding. She serves as the lead federal advocate for Boys & Girls Clubs of Puerto Rico, an organization serving more than 19,000 children and families annually. Passionate about serving communities that often lack a strong voice on Capitol Hill, Vergara is committed to ensuring vulnerable populations are represented in federal decision-making.

Capitol Advocacy Partners is a federal advocacy firm in Washington, D.C. that partners with nonprofit organizations, municipalities, and community-serving entities across California and Puerto Rico to advance their priorities at the federal level. Founded in 2013, CAP specializes in federal advocacy, legislative engagement, grant strategy, and cultivating relationships with Members of Congress and federal agencies. The firm works collaboratively with clients to identify funding opportunities, strengthen program initiatives, and navigate complex federal systems and policies. CAP has helped clients secure millions of dollars in federal and state funding for initiatives focused on mental health, public safety, education, violence prevention, and community wellness. CAP approaches its work as an extension of its clients’ teams, guided by a commitment to helping communities achieve meaningful, sustainable, and lasting change.