Vanessa Ephraim Sanders-Thrive Coach
With more than two decades of experience in social work, Vanessa Ephraim Sanders brings deep compassion, creativity, and purpose to her role as a Success Coach at ELI Thrive. She holds a Master’s in Social Work from The University of Alabama, as well as dual bachelor’s degrees in Human Development & Family Studies from UAB and Social Work from The University of Alabama.
Vanessa is passionate about empowering families to see their own potential and helping them remove barriers so they can truly thrive. “The most inspiring part of my job is showing people they can change their mindset to thrive in life—one day at a time,” she says.
Outside of ELI, Vanessa lives out her mission as both a teacher and urban farmer. She teaches afterschool programs in urban agriculture at Tarrant Elementary, helping kids discover the beauty of growing their own food. This year, she hosted the first community seed swap at Serving You Ministries—a reflection of her passion for education and connection.
A true believer in holistic living, Vanessa is a devoted mom of two, caretaker to her dog Buddy and cat Frodo, and steward of a thriving homestead with 22 chickens and more than 10,000 honey bees. She grows her own herbs, enjoys both coffee and tea, and loves sharing the joy of sustainability with others.
Vanessa’s life mission is clear: to teach, nurture, and help families grow—from the garden to the heart.