Nelida Valentin serves on the leadership team of the Princeton Area Community Foundation as Vice President, overseeing Grants, Programs and Community Relations. In her role, she oversees discretionary grantmaking, and works with community partners, funders and regional networks in support of the foundation’s mission, “promoting philanthropy to advance the wellbeing of our communities forever.”
Prior to PACF, she was the Director of Cluster and Business Development at NJIT’s Innovation Institute, applying intellectual and technological resources to challenges identified by industry partners. Nelida also served as the Executive Director of the Newark Workforce Investment Board for the City of Newark, leading the 501c3 NWIB Corporation, coaching central office workforce operations, and ensuring implementation of the state of New Jersey’s Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. She worked closely with the corporation’s board and reported to the City’s Deputy Mayor for Economic Development, as liaison for workforce development.
Nelida has a unique perspective in leadership development, grant-making, community service, Hispanic affairs, social and economic development, and higher education.
Ms. Valentin was appointed to the Board of Directors of Stockton University in 2016 and has served as Board Chair. She is also a Board Manager for The Regional Foundation and has served on numerous boards in the region, including Greater Trenton Behavior Healthcare, I AM Trenton Community Foundation, Planned Parenthood of Mercer Area, City Smiles, and Isles. She served as Commissioner for the Trenton Parking Authority, and a delegate to the President’s Summit for the Future of America’s Children.
Born and raised in Newark, NJ, Ms. Valentin began her career in public service in 1987 with the State of New Jersey, working in various departments and capacities. She led the Hispanic Leadership Opportunity Program, funded by the Ford Foundation at La Casa de Don Pedro in Newark. In 2001, Ms. Valentin developed the Center for Leadership Development at Thomas Edison State College and launched Leadership Trenton.
Nelida holds a bachelor’s degree in business studies from Stockton State University and a master’s degree from Rutgers University – Eagleton Institute. She is a graduate of Leadership New Jersey and received a certificate of study on the Art and Practice of Leadership series at the John F. Kennedy School of Government and Politics at Harvard University. Ms. Valentin also taught adjunct graduate study in Leadership and Diversity for Rutgers University’s Executive MPA Program. A graduate of Grantmakers for Effective Organizations (GEO)’s Change Leaders in Philanthropy’s class of 2017-18, Ms. Valentin is committed to a practice of philanthropy that is committed to strengthening the capacity of nonprofits and the role funders in support of thriving, vibrant communities.
