Vanessa Sobotta
Vanessa Sobotta serves as Director of Operations at River Wealth Advisors, bringing over 20 years of experience in operational leadership. While new to the financial services industry, she has built a career around process improvement, compliance support, and cross-functional project management. Vanessa plays a central role in strengthening internal systems to help ensure the firm delivers a consistently high standard of client service.
Her leadership style is grounded in curiosity and thoughtful problem solving—she believes in asking questions and understanding the broader goals before making changes. Vanessa views operations as the hub of a wheel, supporting and connecting all areas of the business.
Originally from Brussels, Belgium, Vanessa is the daughter of two career U.S. government employees who instilled in her a deep appreciation for diplomacy, hard work, and independence. She lives in Central Pennsylvania with her husband, Peter, a Navy veteran and entrepreneur. In her free time, Vanessa enjoys reading, crocheting, and volunteering as a puppy sitter for Susquehanna Service Dogs. She is also the proud parent of two adult children.
Get to Know Me Better
What do you enjoy most about your current job?
One of the things I enjoy most about working in operations is the variety—no two days are exactly the same. I thrive on identifying opportunities to streamline processes, solve problems, and implement tools that make it easier for our team to do their best work. It’s rewarding to know that the behind-the-scenes work contributes directly to the overall efficiency and success of the organization.
What do you love most about being part of river wealth advisors?
Our unwavering commitment to client service is truly woven into everything we do. I’m proud to be part of a team that treats this focus as our North Star—guiding individuals through life’s financial complexities, helping them plan for retirement, make informed decisions, and feel secure even in unpredictable markets.
What are your favorite hobbies?
Crocheting is something I’ve picked up in the past five years, and I enjoy seeing projects develop row by row. I’m also starting AKC Rally training with one of my Golden Retrievers. I really enjoy working with dogs. Finally, I love to cook. My favorite is to try new recipes from the New York Times Cooking App.
what is your favorite book?
I love reading and go through about a book a week. Picking a favorite is like choosing a favorite child! One I often recommend is “The Lincoln Highway” by Amor Towles.
what was your first job?
My first W2 job was work-study at Susquehanna University in the cafeteria. I worked on the dishes and tray line, and it was humbling and hard, but I appreciated the opportunity to earn a paycheck. Before that, I did a lot of babysitting!
what are your bucket list vacation spots?
Scotland, Vietnam, and New Zealand.
What's the best advice you've ever received?
Listen with the intent to understand, not the intent to reply.
