Vanessa MacIlwaine, Chief People Officer at Anaconda, where she leads the company’s global People strategy, focusing on talent acquisition, employee engagement, and organizational development. With over 20 years of experience in human resources across the tech sector, Vanessa has demonstrated expertise in building and leading international teams, developing People strategies, and fostering inclusive workplace cultures.


Prior to joining Anaconda, Vanessa served as the Senior Vice President of People at Contentful, where she oversaw the company’s global People function and contributed to the company’s rapid growth and expansion. Her previous experience includes executive leadership roles at Fastly and LendingClub, where she played pivotal roles in scaling those businesses during periods of significant growth.


Vanessa holds a BA in Psychology from the University of Washington and has earned certification as a Professional in Human Resources (PHRca).