Vanessa is an award-winning multi-disciplinary artist. She actively uses her artistry as a platform for change, her craft intricately weaving inner and outer change that we all need. Vanessa’s inspiration comes from her own lived experiences and observations of the world — including the many injustices and general structure of society that influences human nature. “This to me is how art connects us,” she says, “to ourselves, each other, and the world.”

Vanessa is known for her sentimental piano ballads, powerfully raw vocals, and intimate, soul-stirring performances. She recently headlined Transform The Night, airing on Rogers TV, to raise funds for Indigenous communities in Northern Ontario with the support of Northern Credit Union. Her award-winning book debut, Human, and its newly-released Expansive Edition, explore how we can bring our inner and outer worlds together. Her podcast, The Human Challenge, named an Amazon Music Indie Podcast Amplifier, shares real‑life narratives that break barriers and move society forward.

Beyond her artistry, Vanessa founded The Being Human Foundation to create a more cohesive society through collaborative media, arts, and storytelling. She also advocates for disability awareness, Palestinian human rights, and returning citizens, offering volunteer mentorship and business courses in correctional facilities.

Vanessa grew up in Baawaating. She has both Latin and Italian roots.

  • Sept 30 2025 - Borderline Radio

  • Sept 24 2025 - CTV Northern Ontario

  • Aug 21 2025 - CTV Ottawa Morning Live

  • Aug 21 2025 - Radio 580 CFRA

  • Aug 08 2025 - Poetry Special Feature in The Algomian!

  • July 2025: Canvas Rebel

  • June 10 2025: Staying Human This Summer in Vita Daily Magazine

  • Dec 14 2024: Canvas Rebel Holiday Gift Guide

  • Oct 7 2024: Life & Work with Vanessa Ferlaino in Voyage LA

  • July 23 2024: 3 Qualities ImpactedMy Journey on Bold Journey

  • July 22 2024: LIVE on Lead with LeAnne

  • July 19 2024: Your Journey as an Author on BoldJourney Podcast

  • July 10 2024: Doing Business with a Servant's Heart

  • June 04 2024: Combatting Feelings of Shame in the Workspace

  • May 01 2024: The Daily Scanner

  • Apr 15 2024: PCDN Social Change Career Podcast

  • Mar 31 2024: Embracing intention on Mutcho Radio

  • March 26 2024: The Inspirational Journey of Vanessa Ferlaino

  • Feb 2024: Stories of Northern Life Podcast with Mairi Morassut

  • Feb 12 2024: Canvas Rebel catching up with Vanessa Ferlaino

  • Nov 20 2023: The Human Challenge x Amazon Music “Indie Podcast Amplifier” from Nov 20 to Dec 17

  • Oct 27 2023: Find Your Purpose with Vanessa Ferlaino on Bold Journey

  • July 31 2023: Q&A with founder and philanthropist Vanessa Ferlaino on INSC Magazine

  • June 16 2023: Meet Vanessa Ferlaino – Author of “Human” +... with Anna De La Rosa

  • Jan 20 2023: Did you catch Human on the Times Square New York billboard to honor its SECOND book award?

  • May 28 2022: Author Vanessa Ferlaino talks hate crimes and being human with reporter, Stephen Wentzell, CityNews Halifax.

  • May 11 2022: Vanessa talks about diversity in tech and white culture on The Voice of Women podcast.

  • May 07 2022: An empowering conversation with Vanessa and Annie Cathryn on her multi award-winning show, Soulful Series.

  • April 21 2022: Catch Vanessa’s keynote #ProgressNotPerfection talk with Google x Women Techmakers in Calgary Alberta.

  • CTV Calgary (Apr 27 2022): Talking about #diversityintech with Joelle Tomlinson on CTV Calgary Morning Live.

  • Turning Point Podcast (Mar 30, 2022): Vanessa joins former news anchor Priya Sam!

  • The Matt Buff Show (Mar 23 2022): The Answer Orlando’s most downloaded show.

  • Authority Magazine: Social Impact Authors (Mar 09, 2022)

  • Live performance at Chapters Moncton on Nov 13th 2021, wearing an original eco-friendly dress by LeeAnne Dussault of East Coast Couture, featured in VogueItalia Fall 2020.

  • SPIRITUALMEDIABLOG (Dec 01 2021): Creating space when a woman’s compassion is lost in the structure of society.

  • IGTV (July 21 2021): Live with Lisa Pinnock, Bestselling author of Women Let’s Rise.

  • THESAULTSTAR (Nov 13 2021): Vanessa Ferlaino draws from journals to pen Human.