From the classroom to the conference room. Member Guide Vanessa Ryman has spent her professional life helping others learn, grow, and succeed.
Before joining FEWA in 2019, she worked nearly a decade in education, teaching elementary school students across multiple grade levels. Her teaching background remains at the core of how she approaches her role today.
“A lot of our new members come in with zero experience in the H-2B program,” Vanessa explains. “So being able to break things down in a way that’s clear with patience–like I did in the classroom–makes a huge difference.”
Vanessa Ryman (center) during a Girls’ Trip to New York City.
As a Member Guide, she walks members through the complex and often overwhelming visa application process. Her goal isn’t just to lead them through the steps, it’s to ensure they understand what’s happening and why. “The process can be a lot, but when you can teach it clearly, they’re more confident and successful.”
Vanessa’s impact goes far beyond paperwork. She’s seen firsthand how the H-2B program transforms lives, both for businessowners and the workers who legally cross borders to support their families.
An example Vanessa shares is about a man who came to the U.S. as a temporary worker and is now a U.S. permanent resident. Today, he’s a business owner and a FEWA member hiring H-2B workers himself. “He came full circle,” she says. “That’s when you realize how this program affects real people and real lives.”
That sense of care also extends to Vanessa’s team at FEWA. “We double-check each other’s work. It’s never just one person carrying the load. We’ve created a culture of collaboration where everyone has each other’s back, especially when it comes to getting things right for our members.”
Outside of work, Vanessa stays just as active. She’s deeply involved in her local church where she teaches Sunday school to kids ages 4 through 12. She also enjoys kayaking, fishing along the Texas coast, hiking at places like Enchanted Rock and Big Bend, and spending time with her tight-knit family, including her nephews and niece who all live just a block away.
When asked what members should know about her, Vanessa keeps it simple: “I’m here to help. That’s why I do what I do.”
PHOTO: Vanessa Ryman, FEWA Member Guide, (pictured on the far left) enjoys celebrating her nephew’s service in the U.S. Army with her family.