Staff Bio

Vanessa Johnson

Membership Coordinator

Vanessa was born in Newport News and was raised in Williamsburg on the dairy farm off of the Colonial Parkway. She worked for James City County Parks & Recreation as a Rec Leader for children. After 8 years with the County, she went on to become a Sales Associate at Yankee Candle Village, working her way up to become Fudge Maker and eventually Assistant Sales Manager. After 15 years at Yankee Candle, Vanessa joined the Business Council team to support members and community projects.

Vanessa has been married for 22 years and has 4 wonderful children.

What’s the best part about working at the Chamber?
“I love that everyone is so generous when help is needed. There is no ‘I’ in teamwork!”

What was your first job?
“I worked as a Cashier at Winn-Dixie!”

I love Williamsburg because…
“My family is everything, and I can still see friends around town that I went to school with.”