Born and raised in Manawatū, she is based in Wellington, she has served the community through a variety of both paid and volunteer commitments including previously holding the roles of National President of National Council of Women of New Zealand (NCWNZ), CEO of Volunteering New Zealand, Executive Director of 20/20 Trust, General Manager with InternetNZ and Commissioner with the NZ National Commission of UNESCO and the Library & Information Advisory Commission.
Today, Vanisa is a member of the Institute of Directors and the Global BMW Foundation Responsible Leaders Network. She is a member of the Wellington Interfaith Council, a current Justice of the Peace and trustee of the Spark Foundation.
In 2021 she was appointed as a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM), for her services to the community and gender rights.
