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About

WHAT VAL OFFERS

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Innovative

An innovative catalyst, connector, results oriented, teacher and proven thought leader with an extensive background of success in building, leading and designing Diversity, Inclusion and Talent strategies and programs that increase revenue, deepen client loyalty, raise teammates productivity that ultimately correlates to better engagement and retention.

 

As Senior Vice President, Inclusion and Talent Attraction and Executive Director for the Saint Louis Business Diversity Initiative for the St. Louis Regional Chamber, Patton is responsible for the strategic direction and management of diversity, equity, and inclusion and workforce/talent for the business community in the Saint Louis region through training, convening and consulting and regional economic inclusion initiatives. She is the first Executive Director of the Initiative. She is founder of the Initiative Fellows Program (a yearlong leadership development experience) and Gateway Connections (a welcoming orientation for professionals of color.) Currently, creating new economic opportunities through business diversity/inclusion/equity and workforce development. She is responsible for overseeing the strategy development and execution in these 5 strategic functional areas: multicultural leadership development programming and relationships, workforce strategies, inclusive business solutions, talent attraction and diversity, equity and inclusion with individualized targets in each functional area.

 

Patton’s work was featured in the May 2008 edition of Black Enterprise Magazine. She has also been featured in 2013 in Diversity Inc.com magazine “How to Create a Diversity-Friendly City.” She is leading, serving and making a sustainable difference in the business community she serves.

She serves as an adjunct professor at the George Warren Brown School of Social Work at Washington University in St. Louis. She has also served as an adjunct instructor at Harris Stowe State College and Saint Louis Community College at Forest Park in the fields of management, accounting, information technology, business administration., leadership and social justice and human diversity.

 

Patton has received numerous awards and distinctions, including:

  • 2005-2011 Civil Service Commissioner, Metropolitan Sewer District of St. Louis

  • 2019 Girls Inc. Strong, Smart and Bold Award

  • 2019 DELUX Magazine Power 100 Distinguished Award

  • 2019 Harris Stowe State University – Conferred an Honorary Doctorate

  • 2018 National Coalition of 100 Black Women Metropolitan St. Louis Chapter Exemplary Leadership Award

  • 2017 St. Louis Small Business Monthly Wonder Women

  • 2015 Howard University School of Business Alumni Exemplar

  • 2012 St. Louis Community Empowerment Foundation Salute to Women in Leadership Business Leadership Award

  • 2012 Top Ladies of Distinction, Inc. Unsung Heroine Award

  • 2011 St. Louis American Foundation Non-Profit Executive of the Year

  • 2010 Women of Women of Achievement for Women’s Empowerment

  • 2008 St. Louis Business Journal Most Influential Minority Business Leader

  • 2005 Washington University in Saint Louis George Warren Brown School of Social Work Danforth Urban Fellow

  • 2000 MBE Coordinator of the Year, Saint Louis Minority Business Council

  • 2000 Special Leader in Business/Corporate, YWCA of Metropolitan Saint Louis

  • 1992 – 1993 Graduate of the FOCUS St. Louis Leadership Saint Louis Program

  • 1991 Graduate of the CORO Women in Leadership Program

  • Recognized as “Women Who Means Business” in the Minority Business News USA

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Catalyst

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Connector

Patton has served on numerous boards and board committees and is currently on the board of directors for the United Way of Greater St. Louis, Board of Visitors for Howard University School of Business, Trustee-Fontbonne University, Global Leadership Forum, NPower Regional Advisory Board-St. Louis, and St. Louis Internship Program. She is also a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.-St. Louis Alumnae Chapter. She is active her beloved alma mater Howard University Alumni Club of St. Louis where she was a past President and creator of the scholarship fund challenge.

 

Patton is a native of Saint Louis, Missouri and holds degrees from Washington University in St. Louis George Warren Brown School of Social Work (MSW) with an emphasis in Social and Economic Development, Webster University (MA) and Howard University (BBA) and has done post graduate studies in Business Management. Patton enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling to new and different places especially those with water, reading, sports, working out and helping others through enlightenment, engagement, empowerment and influence.

 "I just want to offer wisdom gained from others and from my journey, to change the lives of others". 

 

-Valerie Patton 

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To whom much is given, much is required -Luke 12:48

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