Staff: Valerie Smith

Valerie Smith is a seasoned leader with over 20 years of experience spanning both the nonprofit and corporate sectors. She brings deep expertise in operations, financial management, human resources, and team leadership. Valerie currently serves as the Director of Operations and Finance at Friends of the Children–New York, where she leads all financial, HR Management and operational functions to ensure the organization’s continued success in supporting children and families. In this role, she drives financial strategy, oversees budgeting and forecasting, ensures HR compliance, and continuously works to improve operational efficiency.

Prior to joining Friends of the Children — New York, Valerie served as the Associate Director of Administration and Business Operations at TWU Local 100 – New York City Transit Training and Childcare Funds, where she managed a broad administrative portfolio including finance, HR, procurement, IT, and board relations. She led policy development to improve operations, advanced workforce development initiatives, streamlined vendor management, and ensured organizational compliance and financial integrity.

Earlier in her career, Valerie held operational leadership roles at Heartland Alliance, managing business operations for the READI (Rapid Employment and Development Initiative) program—an innovative criminal justice initiative focused on gun violence prevention, cognitive behavioral therapy, and workforce development. She also led operations and inventory management at Dress for Success and held several leadership positions at Macy’s Inc., both in retail and at the corporate level in New York City.

Valerie is deeply committed to fostering strong organizational cultures and advancing operational excellence in mission-driven organizations. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Tennessee State University and is currently pursuing a Master of Social Work (MSW), expanding her focus on social justice and child welfare advocacy. Driven by a passion for meaningful impact, she continues to lead with purpose and integrity across the nonprofit sector.