An Adventurous Leader

As Chief Operations Officer, Valeria serves in a position that a very small number of a woman, particularly women of color, hold in many non-profits. Her determination, tenacity, compassion, and optimism are the qualities that have moved the organization of 900+ who reports under Valeria into a very efficient and profitable social enterprise. Because Valeria is solutions-oriented, she can move quickly in problem-solving and keep everyone looking forward in an organization serving 6 California Bay Area counties with a population of approximately 5.2 million.

Valeria has been a true inspiration and pioneer in empowering women. “I am always available to mentor other women by teaching life skills and offering personal career coaching. My objective is to empower women to be their best selves by fostering a sense of purpose and belief in self,” says Valeria. “I provide honest advice and create a safe space and ‘no judgment zone’ which allows women to delve into creating personal and professional opportunities. I inspire through my servant leadership and in leading by example.” She treats everyone with dignity and respect. Being an adventurous individual – a go-getter, Valeria likes to win and doesn’t take defeat easily; that is why she defines herself as a fixer, creator, and implementor.

“If a door shuts, I always look for the open window,” elucidates Valeria, for whom success is a life-long journey. “I continue to learn and grow every day. The advice I would share is to “be a good listener” and show humility. It’s important never to judge and always lead from a pure place,” she says. “All of these elements foster trust and positively influence other individuals. It always allows me to be a change agent and show others how they can be their own change agents.” Valeria has learned how to navigate the stigma of being a woman especially a woman of color, in a role predominated led by men. “I’ve had a lot to measure up to, but highlighting a difference in perspective and using life skills such as my role as a single mother, an executive and women of faith, has allowed me to bring about lasting change in corporate culture,” adds Valeria.

Armed with a brilliant ideology, Valeria has been taking Goodwill to new heights. Goodwill equips low-income individuals and those with barriers with the skills required to succeed in the 21st-century job market. They also hire trainees to gain transferable skills and valuable on-the-job experience in their stores and warehouses. And for those motivated job seekers who want to pursue a sustainable career track, Goodwill helps place them in jobs at top Bay Area companies.

According to Valeria, today, the industry is focused on sustainability and the continuous search for efficiencies and new methods to improve the current processes. “We strategize on new technologies, such as e-trucks, to expand leadership in environmental sustainability. Goodwill is the originator of recycling and repurposing, and has always been at the forefront of the climate change problem,” explains Valeria. “Fostering a culture of safety, belonging and learning and staying true to those values always allows us to keep people as our priority. That culture keeps growth and allows us holistic community engagement.”

“My vision is to continue building Goodwill to be ranked #1 in our sphere of influence. This entails grooming leaders to be their best selves, teach them how to develop and expand partnerships in the community, thereby allowing us to serve more individuals.” WL