Joel Valencia grew up in the Belle Haven neighborhood of Menlo Park and holds a bachelor’s degree in Philosophy from Princeton University. He is a first-generation Mexican-American with family from the southwestern Mexican states, Michoacán and Guerrero. Joel’s career includes extensive program and fundraising work at nonprofits benefiting low-income communities of color in Menlo Park and East Palo Alto. He is passionate about ensuring that all people are presented with the opportunities, guidance, and resources they need to be successful. He has worked on a range of issues, including foreclosure and homelessness prevention, anti-predatory lending, small business development and financial literacy, youth mentorship, and free tech education. Joel serves as the Director of the Executive Board of New Leaders Council Silicon Valley and the Partnerships Chair of the Internet Society San Francisco Chapter.