Cloudera Senior Partner Marketing Manager, Valaretha Brown, is raising the bar in the IT Channel.
She is named a Rising Female Star by CRN for exemplifying the traits of perseverance, outside-the-box thinking and a willingness to go above and beyond every day.
Partnering marketing strategies for Cloudera
Valaretha Brown (also known as Val) is leading the strategy behind the go-to-market plans with Cloudera's Independent Software Vendors.
When she was young, she was always curious about corporate America. “My immediate family members received vocational school certificates and were hard working, blue collar workers.” This, along with her first job in fast food, helped her realize, “using my mind more than my hands to earn a living was right up my alley.”
Now she brings her strategic and innovative mind to partner marketing strategies for Cloudera.
Working to drive greater workplace diversity
Val’s work at Cloudera doesn’t end with Partner Marketing.
For her, it’s been all too common to be the only minority at her job. “This was true with my very first corporate job, and as I think over my career, not much has changed," she says.
Today, she feels fortunate to be a part of a diverse team but she’d like to see more representation. “Seeing more Black employees in tech and Cloudera would make me feel more connected and have a higher sense of belonging. I would feel like it is the norm, not the exception," she explains.
Val became one of the first members of Cloudera’s Equality Committee. Her time working within this committee has allowed her to see, first hand, how the company is focused and dedicated to leveling the playing field for Black employees. “To create an Equality Committee and a full-blown DE&I team, endorsed by Rob Bearden, speaks to the level of sincerity to make things right for Blacks," she says.
Doing work that is important to her
This work is important to her. As she shared, “Inequality for Blacks is REAL.”
Referencing the Covid death rate for Black people being twice as high as any other racial group along with the systemic racism issues America is reckoning with – the state of the Black community in America is disheartening. “These are just two recent in-your-face occurrences highlighting the ongoing inequality of Blacks. The more folks that accept that this inequality is real and have a heart to eradicate it, the faster we can move to having equality for all," she explains.
These events have added additional stress on Val and the community at large.
“I have an increased level of mental exhaustion from the disappointment and hurt," she says. While this is a sentiment shared by many, she also notes that the work she and Cloudera is doing encourages her. “Cloudera is proactively working to “be the change” – to do their part to address injustices," she adds.
She’s had the opportunity to participate in panel discussions around women in tech and Imposter Syndrome hosted by Cloudera among other work being done behind the scenes. For her these are examples of “another step in the right direction.”
Giving back to the local community
Outside of Cloudera, Val has a passion for giving back.
Partnering closely with the Boys & Girls Club and a local high school, Val helps level the playing field for inner city youth. “They come from underserved communities and have limited exposure to corporate America.” She spends much of her free time teaching professionalism, branding, communication, interviewing, and marketing skills. “It is important that inner city youth have access to and see folks who look like them to know what is possible," she explains.
She’s proud to share that the Equality Committee has also partnered with Boys and Girls Club of Middle Tennessee as a financial donor in support of Club NEXT – a digital program teaching youth about STEM, Finance, Marketing, and other relevant development opportunities. “To work for a company that is compassionate about supporting the next generation is simply amazing!”
While she knows the work Cloudera has left to do on these fronts is far from complete, she’s happy with the progress Cloudera is making. “We have a way to go, but I think we are on the right path.”
Making progress in and outside of Cloudera
Val loves to live life to the fullest. On top of the work she does with Cloudera partners and the incredible progress she’s helping achieve in and out of Cloudera, she is also an LA Lakers superfan, fitness dabbler, certified personal stylist and the best auntie ever. She stays grounded by living her life in accordance with her personal principles – the “Five F’s”. Faith, Family, Finance, Fitness, and Fun.
Cloudera is thankful for the work Valaretha does in and out of the organization and the opportunities she brings to give back.
Achieve great things at Cloudera
Cloudera's workplace culture enables women like Val to achieve impressive career success, while having time to pursue passions outside of work.
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Disclosure: Where Women Work researches and publishes insightful evidence about how its paid member organizations support women's equality.