Valeria (Val) Baker has for many years sought to increase employee knowledge and awareness in the workplace. Back in the year 2000, while employed as a Contract Specialist at the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Val founded and served as the facilitator of The Professional and Executive Women’s Group, and established the Administrative Women’s Network, two affinity groups supporting the agency’s efforts to promote diversity. Both groups came to be highly respected and regarded for empowering their respective members, as well as for featuring dynamic speakers, among whom included public figures Helen Thomas, a reporter and author then best known for her longtime membership in the White House press corps, and inspirational and motivational speaker and author Willie Jolly.

Following a 21 year stint in the procurement field, Val transitioned to a new role as a Sr. Program Analyst with the Federal Housing Finance Agency where she’s single-handedly launched a peer-to-peer mentoring program and developed a student internship program comprised of both paid and volunteer interns, all of whom gain industry knowledge and awareness first-hand while developing practical skills, making connections, strengthening their resumes, and learning about the housing field from an organization comprised of highly skilled and experienced professionals.

Val received her Bachelors in Telecommunications from Morgan State University in Baltimore, MD. Then, she went on to receive a Masters of Arts in Speech Communication from Miami University of Ohio, specializing in organizational development.

In addition to her work as a program manager and her membership in the AFDICA, Val is actively involved with the Prince George’s County, Delta Alumnae Foundation, a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization which supports and promotes community programs aimed at improving the quality of life for the residents residing in Prince George’s County, Maryland, many of whom are underserved and underprivileged persons and families.