Get Your Event Funded: Hear From Funders Directly

Join us on April 21 to hear from Vicki Luna, Public Affairs Specialist for H-E-B, and Vanessa Reed, National External Affairs lead at Comerica Bank, on what they look for in events to fund. Learn from actual funders on what elements to include to get your event noticed and funded! April’s panel will be moderated and include time for questions and answers from the audience. 

Speakers: 

Vicki Luna, Public Affairs Specialist, H-E-B

Vicki is a Public Affairs Specialist for H-E-B in Houston. She coordinates external and internal events for the Houston region, represents H-E-B at key functions, assists with charitable contributions and maintains relationships in the community. Before starting her career at H-E-B, she served as the Community and Public Affairs Coordinator for Fluor, a global engineering construction company. She managed all activities for the Fluor Cares volunteer program in the Houston office, including coordinating all community relations volunteer activities, building strategic partnerships with local charities and schools, and assisting with community giving. For 6 years with Fluor, the Houston office was number one in volunteer hours. 

Prior to Fluor she was in the education sector for eight years working in public and community relations at Houston Community College and Houston Independent School District (HISD). Vicki graduated from Texas State University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mass Communications with an emphasis in Public Relations. She received a Master’s degree in Liberal Arts from the University of St. Thomas.  

Vanessa T. Reed, SVP, National External Affairs, Comerica Bank 

Vanessa Reed heads the External Affairs Department managing Community Reinvestment Act programs for Comerica Bank.  Reed is responsible for community reinvestment and external affairs for Comerica Bank from the East to the West Coast.  Her priorities include affordable housing, education including financial literacy, small business development, job training, economic and community development and capacity building and neighborhood revitalization programs for low to moderate income individuals and communities. 

Reed joined Comerica Bank in 2000.  She earned five Comerica ROAR awards for her outstanding achievement and results as a credit specialist for the commercial real estate department.   

A graduate of University of New Orleans, Reed holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Management with a concentration in accounting.