Meet the AI4ALL Team: Valerie Allen, Alumni Program Manager

As told to Eunice Poon of AI4ALL by Valerie Allen

  • AI4ALL News
Meet the AI4ALL Team: Valerie Allen, Alumni Program Manager

We are excited to introduce Valerie Allen, the Alumni Program Manager at AI4ALL. In her role, she will be developing new resources, workshops, and opportunities for AI4ALL alums to support them on their professional and academic journeys in artificial intelligence.

Valerie’s work has been centered on creating diversity and inclusion and providing access through mentorship, fellowships and creating a network of peers for underrepresented youth and young adults. She holds a B.S. in Business Administration with emphasis on Sports Management and Marketing from Seton Hall University, and a Master of Public Administration from San Francisco State University. Through working with organizations such as Black Girls CODE, the Robert Toigo Foundation, and the Boys and Girls Club of San Francisco, she has been able to see the positive impact on marginalized and underrepresented folks when given resources and access. Valerie notes that her passion and inspiration come out of her own personal experience of having opportunity and a village of support throughout her life. She believes that everyone should be given that same experience.

Valerie’s passion to build stronger communities that provide access and support, her experience in non-profit work with underrepresented and marginalized individuals, and her personal belief that diversity creates better end results all make her a beneficial asset to our team. Learn more about Valerie, what motivated her to join AI4ALL, her role models growing up, and what she likes to do when she’s not working to promote inclusivity.


What motivated you to join AI4ALL?

I learned about AI4ALL in April earlier this year. Someone reached out to me, and after doing research on the company, I was instantly hooked. I think what stood out to me was primarily that AI4ALL’s work comes from a holistic approach. Its mission around policy, research, and education is done so thoughtfully. I think the mission is super impactful now and will continue to be 10, 15, 20 years from now.

What are some of the bigger issues you see in this space regarding getting underrepresented people into AI?

In terms of working with underrepresented groups in the AI field, it’s about two things: demystifying myths around AI and conquering the accessibility challenge. Demystifying myths around AI and what people think of AI, robots, and machine learning is important because some of the images people may have could be negative, or framed as negative. And this could act as a barrier that disallows interest or access to entering the field.

Secondly, conquering the accessibility challenge. I think it’s important to better understand what low-income or underrepresented people may see in tackling everyday challenges. When we understand what is inaccessible to them, we can create better support systems and resources.

And of course, there is the diversity piece. There is value in diversity. I think that once people understand that it’s okay to have challenges when dealing with diversity, then having some of the uncomfortable conversations isn’t as daunting.

Having people with different backgrounds and experiences at the table brings a better end result, a more holistic approach, and better ideas.

Who were your role models growing up? Do you have any role models now?

It’s actually really hard for me to pinpoint just one person that embodies all my goals and desires, because I take little pieces here and there from different people. But growing up, I had a lot of mentors: my parents, the people at my church, and the people in my community. I think I had a very strong village of support, and I think that’s something that I take with me in my work, in wanting to provide that same type of village for others.

I was also really into sports when I was younger — it was my passion. I played four sports in high school: basketball, volleyball, softball, and tennis. I definitely had a couple of mentors and people that I looked up to in the sports field. Sports is just one of those fields that teaches you discipline, teamwork, and that competitive nature of continual growth and wanting to be better, and I think a lot of the values I learned from sports I take with me every day.

Presently, I really look up to supermoms, after becoming a mother myself. Supermoms that do it all, because when I had a child it was life-changing in regrouping and reassessing the priorities in my life. I think of Michelle Obama, who was a first lady, who supported her husband, who supported her kids, and who did a lot in terms of giving back. So yes, a mom boss that does what she sets her mind to and isn’t afraid of overcoming barriers.

What’s your favorite thing to do in Oakland?

In Oakland, I love the lake. Just walking around the lake. It’s got the health piece to it, but the other piece is really the social. Every time I walk around the lake I see someone that I haven’t run into in a while, so to me Lake Merritt is like a meeting spot. And I used to live by the lake, so whenever I go now, it’s reminiscent of a lot of great things.

And then there are a lot of food places I love around here, whether it’s in Berkeley for Angeline’s or Doyle Street in Emeryville, and of course all the good spots in Oakland. So definitely, I like to eat! I wouldn’t call myself a foodie by nature, but my husband is a foodie, so he’s made me more into a foodie.


About Valerie

A Bay Area native, Valerie Allen brings over 10 years of nonprofit experience to her role as Alumni Program Manager at AI4ALL. Valerie’s work in education and technology has driven her passion to create a diverse talent pipeline in industries where underrepresented groups are disproportionately represented. Her efforts to advance diversity, inclusion, and access to underrepresented youth and young adults has been realized through her past work at Black Girls CODE, the Robert Toigo Foundation and the Boys & Girls Club of San Francisco.

Valerie holds a Master of Public Administration from San Francisco State University and Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Seton Hall University. Outside of work, Valerie enjoys spending time with her family and serving in civic and community engagement.

The 2025 AI4ALL Ignite Program Application is Now Open. Apply Now!