Have you heard the good word? We’re thrilled to share that Monica Valenzuela, a dynamic economic and business developer with multifunctional expertise, has recently taken on the role of Director of Programs at digitalundivided.
Originally from Barcelona and proudly calling New Jersey home, Monica brings over a decade of experience in startup operations, strategic partnerships, project management, and marketing strategies. Her journey has spanned U.S. and European Public Economic Development Authorities, incubators, and business accelerators, providing her extensive insights into entrepreneurship, technology, innovation, and investment ecosystems.
Explore the wealth of knowledge and expertise Monica brings to our vibrant community, and learn more about how you can “meet” her below!
digitalundivided: Welcome to the digitalundivided community!
Monica Valenzuela: Thank you! I am incredibly excited to be part of digitalundivided’s mission to support Latina and Black women founders. I’m very enthusiastic to join a growing and knowledgeable team that shares a compassionate approach and dedicates its expertise and efforts to supporting a community facing unique challenges in the entrepreneurial landscape.
digitalundivided: What are three things you want members of our digitalundivided community to know about you?
Monica Valenzuela: I am originally from Barcelona, Spain. I love my country and the different traditions that make it so unique and rich. I love traveling, exploring new places, and learning about other cultures. My own family is very international.
My caring nature brings me satisfaction in dedicating my time and expertise to helping others.
Lastly, I live by the principles of living life to its fullest every day, focusing on the present moment and practicing gratitude and kindness. I love the quote: “Be the reason someone feels welcomed, seen, heard, valued, loved and supported.”
digitalundivided: What first interested you in the startup space?
Monica Valenzuela: My first experience in the startup space was when I lived and worked in New York City several years ago and found the opportunity to work for a business incubator at CUNY University that supported design entrepreneurs. I had the fortune to manage an entrepreneurship program for students passionate about design, providing them with vision and business strategy guidance to realize their ideas. It was an experience that shaped my professional career path and aspirations. I felt immersed and inspired by an environment of innovation, creativity, and constant learning. It is gratifying to me to help others materialize their ideas and contribute to fostering innovation and positive change.
digitalundivided: You have an excellent background that centers much of your career on startups in the United States and Spain. Please tell us more about that journey.
Monica Valenzuela: I am incredibly fortunate to have gained international experience fostering entrepreneurship and driving business growth. My cross-functional work experience - encompassing roles in public administration, nonprofit organizations, and for-profit entities - has given me a comprehensive, well-rounded understanding of the spectrum of business support resources available.
I’ve actively supported entrepreneurs throughout my career across various stages of their business cycles, from the early to more advanced phases. My roles have been diverse, from offering business strategy to serving as a pivotal connector to identify and cultivate company synergies facilitating collaboration for mutual advancement.
I’ve had the privilege of contributing to various industries, from consumer goods to technology or healthcare. Regardless of the sector, the common thread among these experiences is the shared commitment to innovation and desire to impact society positively — each striving to simplify lives and contribute to making the world a better place.
digitalundivided: The first public chance our wider digitalundivided community had to connect with you was this past Giving Tuesday on IG Live. What did you cover, and how can interested entrepreneurs and our wider digitalundivided community catch the recap?
Monica Valenzuela: It was such a great experience! At the event, participants met our incredible program team members as we discussed the impactful digitalundivided programming tailored for Black women and Latina founders. If you’d like to retroactively meet me and our programs team and hear what we have coming up in 2024, you can watch the replay here!