SPOTLIGHT: VANESSA ESPARZA
Head of People and Administration at Gladstone Place Partners
Written by Cheyenne Paul
Vanessa Esparza is partner and head of people and administration at Gladstone Place Partners, a strategic and financial communications firm in New York City. She also serves as board president of Exhale to Inhale, a nonprofit that empowers survivors of domestic and sexual violence through trauma- informed yoga services. She was recently named to Ragan’s Top Women in HR Class of 2026 in the Dynamic Do-er Category, which honors women for their proactive approach and ability to drive significant HR projects and initiatives to completion. Vanessa’s journey from paralegal in Denver to partner at a prestigious financial communications firm proves her guiding philosophy: “Careers don’t have to take a linear path.”
From Denver to New York: Taking the Leap
Vanessa grew up in Colorado as the eldest daughter of young parents who migrated to America from Mexico. Her mother instilled in her the belief that she could do anything she put her mind to, while her parents set clear and high expectations for education and excellence. This familial support led to Vanessa becoming the first college graduate in her family.
After majoring in political science, she landed a paralegal job and thought law was her direction. Then something shifted. “I didn’t want to go to law school,” she recalls. “I wasn’t exactly sure what I wanted to do, but I wanted to leave Colorado and experience a new city.”
She made the bold move: without a job, she relocated to New York City and began her new life. She trusted that if she jumped, a net would appear.
Building Gladstone from the Ground Up
After living in New York for several years, Vanessa decided to pursue her Master’s in Human Capital Management at NYU. During that time, her longtime boss and mentor, Steven Lipin, had a vision to launch an independent firm focused on strategic and financial communications. Excited by the opportunity to join in building a new firm from the ground up, she joined in the endeavor. She’s been with Gladstone Place Partners since its founding in 2017.
Over the past nine years, Vanessa has helped the firm grow from just a few people to 22. She’d long thought about a career in people development and coaching, and now that vision has come to life in her role. As the first person to meet candidates, she sets the tone for the employee experience at Gladstone. She oversees the intern program, manages staffing, and has built a comprehensive learning and development program that not only provides job training, but also essential skills such as public speaking, financial acumen, and related competencies.
Beyond her work at Gladstone, Vanessa provides pro bono coaching through the International Coaching Federation’s NYC Community Impact Committee, extending her commitment to supporting people’s career development to the broader community.
She describes her work as fun and challenging. “I get to work with colleagues I love to be around who are smart, fun, and kind.”
The NYWICI Connection
Vanessa joined NYWICI after a former colleague was honored with the Matrix Award and Gladstone sponsored the event. “I saw the network and the benefits and value from the organization,” she says. Gladstone has maintained memberships for the firm’s women for the last few years.
What excites her the most about NYWICI? “The caliber of programming and members ranging from students to experienced women in communications offer a lot of exciting opportunities.” Some of her team members have participated in NYWICI’s mentorship program on both sides, which she sees as a “great way to build community in New York.”
Lessons Learned: Navigating Career Uncertainty with Intention
Throughout her professional journey, Vanessa has developed strategies for navigating uncertainty and building a fulfilling career:
- Build Genuine Relationships
The importance of relationships and networking is not always stressed in undergrad, but Vanessa’s journey to communications in New York highlighted its true value. Her advice? “Be genuinely connected, not just when you need something.” When joining the board of Exhale to Inhale, Vanessa was able to tap into her network for introductions to people with years of experience in the nonprofit space. This helped her gain a better understanding of how to effectively serve on a board and fundraise.
- Cultivate your Support System
Having a dependable group of peer advisors and mentors is crucial. These are the individuals you can turn to when navigating career decisions, celebrating wins and learning from failure. They are the people who you can trust to be honest with you and who you can in turn be open and honest with.
- Stay Curious and Open
“My career hasn’t been linear, but it’s been very interesting and overall, lots of fun. I’ve learned a lot about myself and gained so many skills,” she says. “If I had been super attached to a vision of what it would look like, I probably would have stayed in Colorado and become a lawyer. That wouldn’t have been a bad thing, but it may not have been as fulfilling.”
- Trust Your Intuition
Whether approaching potential witnesses for statements early in her career, completing yoga teacher training, or building a firm from the ground up, Vanessa trusts her gut. She says, “I believe I am someone who will always figure it out.” This confidence has been her anchor during moments of uncertainty.
Advice for the Next Generation
Vanessa’s final message to NYWICI members is about agency and intentionality: “It’s really important for people to take their career and life and make empowered choices. We have choice and agency. Be really intentional about your careers and lives. They are not separate entities but rather intertwined.”
Years ago, she stood at a crossroads in Denver, having a sense that she had to leave home to find her path. She jumped, and the net appeared. Now, she helps others trust the net will appear for them too.