Vanessa Underwood
Director of Finance and Operations
Vanessa Underwood Director of Finance and Operations © Nature United
AREAS OF FOCUS
Leads in finance, team and culture development, strategy and communication, operational excellence.
Quote
Joining Nature United feels like a full-circle moment — bringing together my roots in science, passion for nature and career in finance to support such meaningful conservation work alongside incredible people. I can’t wait to contribute!
Biography
Vanessa Underwood joined Nature United as Director of Finance & Operations in 2026, supporting the organization’s mission through strong financial stewardship, operational effectiveness and organizational resilience across Canada. Driven by a deep personal connection to the natural world and a particular passion for ocean conservation, she is committed to helping Nature United enable lasting outcomes for people and nature.
Vanessa brings extensive experience in finance, operations and governance across the nonprofit, education and innovation sectors. She holds a Bachelor of Science and began her career in research, shaping an analytical, evidencebased approach that continues to inform her work. She has since held senior finance and operations leadership roles in both charitable organizations and growthstage companies, focused on building systems that enable impact, accountability and sustainable growth.
A Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CMA), Vanessa values learning from people, places and cultures, and enjoys connecting across diverse perspectives. Outside of work, she engages directly with nature through hiking, diving and outdoor adventures with her family, and enjoys photography. She is based in Toronto and actively supports conservation and youth education initiatives.