Today we’d like to introduce you to Vonetta Hawkins.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
When I was six years old, I said a bad word in front of my mom, and she punished me because of it. While the punishment wasn’t severe, it made one thing clear and that was that I had power. I had the power to determine what happened to me, the power to shape my outcomes, and the power to choose a life that made me happy.
Six-year-old Vonetta has never left, and the mindset of that powerful little girl thrives in the woman I am today. I live a life of intentional happiness filled with joy and positive energy.
Today, that mindset shows up in how I move through the world. I’ve become someone where service is my love language and leading with intention is part of my DNA. Everything I do, personally and professionally, is rooted in creating impact, uplifting others, and building a life and work that reflects purpose, power, and positivity.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Life is never smooth nor easy and that’s the beautiful part of it. It’s through failure that we find growth and strength. I wouldn’t change any of my setbacks because each one taught me something I needed to learn.
I’ve gone from growing up with very little to building a real estate empire of 13 homes worth several million dollars, to losing everything I built during the 2008 housing crisis. Life will humble you, but it will also build you. I’ve been fired before, passed over, and faced moments that could have set me back, but instead I used them to move forward.
In 2025, I experienced one of the most defining seasons of my life. After a 2-year hard fought battle, I lost my mom to cancer, and at the same time, my life was reaching new heights. It was like the saying “it was the best of times, it was the worst of times.” I won a $60,000 pitch competition focused on ending appraisal bias, graduated with my bachelor’s degree, was accepted into a master’s program, received leadership awards, and ran for New Jersey State Assembly, coming very close to unseating two incumbents.
That season taught me that life doesn’t separate joy and pain. They can exist at the same time. It also reminded me of everything my mother stood for. She lived a life of service, always opening her home and heart to others, and that example continues to guide me.
Every challenge has made me stronger, more grounded, and more intentional. I don’t see failure as the end. I see it as part of the process that shapes who you are meant to become.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Vonetta Hawkins Consulting Firm?
I am the CEO and Founder of Vonetta Hawkins Consulting Firm, and I’m known for housing strategy, real estate advisory, and education. I work with institutions, universities, and entrepreneurs to navigate housing, policy, and access to capital, while also teaching them how to understand and apply it.
A big part of my work is education. I break down complex housing and real estate concepts in a way that people can actually use, whether that’s through advising, training, or program support. My goal is to make sure people are not just informed, but equipped to make strategic decisions.
I spent my career at one of the largest banking institutions, where I led strategy across a $20 billion market and supported the distribution of over $1 billion in grant funding. That experience gave me a strong understanding of how capital moves and how decisions impact communities.
What sets me apart is that I live and breathe real estate. Both personally and professionally, I’ve built and supported real estate empires at scale. I’ve navigated challenges, rebuilt, and continued to evolve, and that experience shapes how I approach everything I do. I’ve also spent most of my career in leadership roles and have held over seven board positions across real estate and professional organizations.
I’m especially proud of the role I played in shaping housing in New Jersey. I was one of two lenders selected by Princeton University to provide guidance on increasing the use of the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency down payment assistance grant. Based on my recommendations, that grant increased from $10,000 to $22,000, which is directly helping more people become homeowners today.
What I want readers to know is that my work is very hands-on and results driven. I partner with organizations and individuals who are serious about moving initiatives forward, whether that’s through strategy sessions, advisory engagements, or educational programs. If you’re looking to better understand housing, align your work with real outcomes, or bring a concept to life in a way that actually works, that’s where I come in.
We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
Something that is surprising about me is that total strangers rename me “Sunshine” after meeting me for the first time.
I silently giggle inside as it warms my heart to know that number one, I brighten their day and number two that my intentionality around choosing happiness has some awesome positive results.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.vonettahawkins.com/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vonetta-hawkins-58905693/
- Other: https://issuu.com/princetonspia/docs/narrowingnewjerseysracialwealthgap
