Valerie Brown Traore

Valerie came to the Food Bank of South Jersey (FBSJ) in March 2006 and she brings a wealth of knowledge to the southern New Jersey nonprofit community. Her background is strong in the mission of hunger relief and with more than 20 years experience in nonprofit management.

In her previous position as Director of Agency Relations for City Harvest, a food rescue organization in New York City, Valerie had direct responsibility for developing and maintaining a network of more than 800 charitable feeding programs, throughout New York City. Additionally she created several successful programs including the phenomenal Mobile Market, which increased the consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables in economically disadvantaged communities.

Prior to City Harvest, Valerie worked as a regional field services manager for America's Second Harvest, the nation's food bank network, based in Chicago, Illinois. In this role, Valerie traveled extensively throughout the country advising food banks and food rescue organizations in areas of strategic development, organizational management, board relations, financial management, and facilities management.

She holds a Bachelor of Science in Management from Coppin State University.

Valerie resides in Sicklerville, New Jersey with her husband and son.