Val is a first-generation college student with degrees from UC Berkeley (BA), Columbia University (MPA) and Wharton, University of Pennsylvania (MBA) – where she self-funded her education through scholarships and working full-time. Val spent her career in the Finance and Tech sectors in New York and San Francisco before becoming an entrepreneur. Val is passionate about politics and education. Val was a Nominee for US Congress in the 2020 election and recently launched a non-profit focused on helping community college students transfer to elite 4 year universities. Val is married and has 2 school aged children.