Vanessa Lockel Bio

"In September 2020, Vanessa Lockel assumed the role of Executive Director at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County (CCE Suffolk). With a wealth of experience spanning over two decades in collaboration with Suffolk County and New York State entities, Ms. Lockel brought her expertise to CCE Suffolk after serving as the Director of Government and Community Affairs at the Metropolitan Transportation Authority-Long Island Railroad (MTA-LIRR). During this tenure, she played a pivotal role in the Governor's transition team, contributing to the consolidation of the MTA-LIRR. 

Aligned with CCE Suffolk's mission, Ms. Lockel's proficiency in community engagement and government relations underscores her commitment to inclusive collaboration, public engagement, transparency, and responsiveness in addressing the needs of Suffolk County. Her prior roles include serving as a Regional Representative in the Governor's Office, directing resiliency projects at the Governor's Office of Storm Recovery during Hurricane Sandy, and acting as Deputy Press Secretary in the Office of State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli. She also held the position of Director of Community Outreach at the former New York State Banking Department under Superintendent Diana Taylor. 

Beyond her government roles, Ms. Lockel has a diverse professional background, having been a registered lobbyist for the New York City Beverage component of the American Beverage Association, an International Product Manager for Merrill Lynch, a Research Specialist at JP Morgan, and a Program Director at Ossining Correctional Facility, where she trained transitional inmates for Community Capital Resources, a Westchester-based nonprofit. 

Vanessa's dedication to community improvement extends to her involvement in the Latina Mentoring Program at Brentwood High School. Actively participating as a mentor and committee member, she contributes to the New York State Mentoring Program by pairing Latina leaders in government, community, and corporate sectors with student mentees. Her mentorship focuses on connecting young Latinas with valuable opportunities such as internships, scholarships, and professional development, all while celebrating their heritage and nurturing a sense of community pride. Ms. Lockel holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Bates College, a Master of Public Administration degree from Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs and has completed doctoral coursework in Social Welfare at Stony Brook University. 

Vanessa, along with her husband and two children, resides in Miller Place."

 

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