Biography
Valerie Mason Cunningham is an accomplished strategic and values-driven senior executive. With a remarkable breadth of progressive leadership, extensive change management, organizational transformation, operational experience, and a proven history of creating business value resulting in consistent business results over her 30+ year career, Valerie is a former Senior Vice President at Xerox Corporation. Valerie had many large leadership roles at Xerox and retired after ascending to the role of Vice President of North America Channels Marketing Operations.
Valerie is well-known as a trusted advisor to the C-level executives in companies large and small. Valerie actively engages in the advocacy, discussions and design for a diverse workforce and work environment, embracing the power of inclusive leadership and belonging to create organizational stability, resulting in business growth.
Currently an entrepreneur and ICF certified executive leadership coach, Valerie is the Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Mason & Rice LLC. Mason & Rice is a consultancy committed to the value of progressive leadership with a focus on DEIA & B, emphasizing Belonging. Having a passion to inspire others to “level up” their personal and professional excellence, Valerie has a lifetime commitment in helping aspiring and seasoned leaders thrive. Valerie is the Managing Principal of PRIDE Matters LLC; the acronym PRIDE stands for Personal Recognition in Delivering Excellence.
Valerie currently serves on the Board of Trustees at Mercy College and serves on multiple committees. She is a member of the ‘Friends of URI’-Urban Resource Institute-focusing on Domestic Violence, and a strategic business consultant and advisor to Sister to Sister International, Inc. Previously she served as the Board Chair at Volunteer New York! for 3 years and during the pandemic and had nine consecutive years on the Board of Directors serving in multiple committee roles. There are many other business and civic boards on which Valerie has served.
Valerie has received numerous awards and distinguished honors for her work in the public and private sectors. Most recently a TEDx Speaker-title: “You have to go through something to get to something” and a 2023 Trailblazers recipient of the Madam C.J. Walker Economic Development Award. Valerie has been featured on several podcasts and leadership panels.
As a first-generation college graduate in her family, Valerie attended Spelman College for two years and earned her Bachelor of Science degree from SUNY Old Westbury. Most recently, she received an Honorary Doctorate degree in Commercial Science from Mercy College. Valerie is a Leadership Westchester Graduate and is a member of the Leadership Westchester Alumni.
Valerie resides in Westchester County, New York, with her husband and is a dedicated mother to her son, who resides in Georgia.