Vanessa Wouters, known as Ms. Vanessa at Hillside Academy, joined the school in January 2024 as the Marketing & Administrative Coordinator. With a diverse professional background, Vanessa brings a wealth of experience in administration, operations, and marketing, having worked in various roles across the corporate sector in both Belgium and the United States. Her responsibilities have ranged from managing HR, IT and financial operations to coordinating international projects and supporting consultants.

Vanessa’s move into education was motivated by a desire to find a more meaningful work environment. When the opportunity at Hillside Academy arose, it felt like the perfect fit. She is passionate about working with a close-knit team of educators and administrators and finds great joy in contributing to the school’s mission. Her main goal is  enhancing the school’s presence within the community, as well as streamlining administrative processes.

Beyond her role at Hillside Academy, Vanessa has a variety of personal interests. She enjoys mountain biking, walking, and exploring the healing properties of movement and natural remedies. Vanessa is also actively involved in her community, she volunteers as a mountain bike coach with the local Cedarcrest mountain bike team, where she rides with her husband and son. She served as the Committee Chair and Fundraiser Chair for Troop 745 with the Chief Seattle Council, BSA for the past 3 years, and she has also served as an Art Docent at Cherry Valley Elementary, reflecting her commitment to education and youth development.

Born and raised in Belgium, Vanessa’s first language is Flemish, and she is also fluent in French. She moved to the United States in 2016 with her husband, Wim, and their 14-year old son, Bent. The family, including their energetic Golden Retriever, Blaze, enjoys outdoor adventures and exploring new places. Vanessa has traveled extensively across Europe and beyond, with memorable experiences such as swimming in Iceland’s Blue Lagoon and hiking up the glacier-capped Fagradalsfjall volcano.

Vanessa is excited to be a part of the Hillside Academy community and is dedicated to helping the school and its students thrive.