Message from the Executive Director

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Valerie Jensen

As the new Executive Director of Twin Cities Diversity in Practice it is an honor to return to the Twin Cities. I look forward to this new opportunity to assist our member firms and corporations with their efforts to attract, recruit, advance and retain attorneys of color in the Twin Cities.

I am excited to come into a position where there already exist quality programming, sound strategic planning and a community of lawyers dedicated to make a change. In the global legal marketplace in which our firms and corporations compete there must always be room for change and innovation and Twin Cities Diversity in Practice can be part of that change.

I know it is essential for success that we be true to the mission of the organization and continue to take leadership that requires vision and dedication; but most importantly a willingness to act on that vision. I look forward to the next chapter in this organization’s history and I feel privileged to be part of it.

Valerie Jensen returns to the Twin Cities from Valparaiso University School of Law in Indiana, where she was the Executive Director of Career Planning. Prior to her move to Indiana, Valerie was the Associate Dean for Multicultural Affairs at William Mitchell College of Law. During that time, Valerie was chosen as one of 15 “Attorneys of the Year,” by Minnesota Lawyer, for her efforts in promoting and supporting diversity and diverse attorneys in the Twin Cities area.

While at William Mitchell, she also taught a seminar on Race and the Law, legal writing, academic support and exam writing workshops and served as director of the National CLEO programs Summer Institute held at William Mitchell. Valerie was an active member of Minnesota Black Lawyers Association (MABL), Minnesota State Bar Association and the Minority Bar Summit. Before assuming her role at William Mitchell, Valerie worked for the Ramsey County Attorney’s Office, the Minnesota Supreme Court and the Minnesota Department of Public Safety. Valerie was born and raised in Minnesota and is very excited to return. She is a graduate of William Mitchell College of Law and Carleton College in Northfield, Minnesota.