Valerie Alexander

Last updated

Valerie Alexander
Born
Pennsylvania, United States
Occupation(s)Author, screenwriter, speaker, filmmaker
Known forSpeaker, director, screenwriter, author
SpouseRick Alexander
Website www.speakhappiness.com

Valerie Alexander is an American author, speaker, screenwriter and director.

Her TED Talk, “How to Outsmart Your Own Unconscious Bias,” [1] is frequently cited as one of the top TED talks on unconscious bias and diversity, equity and inclusion, and is used as a teaching tool in classrooms and boardrooms around the world. [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12]

Valerie has spoken at hundreds of conferences, colleges, companies, and government, military and police agencies on the topics of unconscious bias, workplace happiness, and the advancement of women, and was one the featured Keynote speakers for the University of South Florida - Muma College of Business Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the Workplace Certificate, [13] with more than 135,000 people enrolled. [14]

Valerie is the screenwriter of “Memories of Christmas,” starring Christina Milian and Mark Taylor, [15] [16] which first aired on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries in 2018. This film has been named on several “Best of Hallmark Christmas movies” lists, including “10 Must-See Hallmark Movies that Celebrate Diversity and Inclusion.” [17] [18] [19] [20] [21]

Valerie has written screenplays and developed television shows for Joel Schumacher, Catherine Zeta Jones, Ice Cube, and others. She directed the award-winning short films "Making the Cut” [22] and Ballpark Bullies, [23] and is the creator, producer and director of "The Wedding Matters,” [24] "Say I Do,” [25] and "Life Support," three successful commercial campaigns in support of marriage equality. [26]

Her books include, "Happiness as a Second Language: A Guidebook to Achieving Lasting, Permanent Happiness", "Success as a Second Language: A Guidebook for Defining and Achieving Personal Success", and "How Women Can Succeed in the Workplace (Despite Having 'Female Brains')". [27] [28] She holds the U.S. Registered Trademark on the phrase, “…as a Second Language” for the self-help and personal growth space, and as that trademark holder, publishes works by other authors, including Parenting as a Second Language by Elisabeth Stitt, Creativity as a Second Language by Nancy Pia, Grief as a Second Language by Stacy Parker, and Mindfulness as a Second Language by Nicholas Stein, CMT-P.

Prior to becoming a writer-director and author, Valerie was a corporate securities lawyer, an investment banker and an Internet executive in the Silicon Valley. [29] [30]

Valerie received her B.A. from Trinity University and her J.D. and M.S. degrees from U.C., Berkeley, and an honors certificate in the Science of Happiness from U.C., Berkeley’s Greater Good Science Center. In the Spring of 2010, she returned to Berkeley Law to teach "Representation of Law in Film," and was the 2016 commencement speaker for Trinity University, delivering the address, “Tiger at Heart.” [31]

Before entering the professional ranks, Valerie paid for her own education working as: a horse wrangler; an algebra teacher; a runway model; a tutor for the developmentally disabled; an amusement park supervisor; an SAT, GRE & LSAT prep teacher; and a variety of food service jobs.

Valerie is a member of the Writers Guild of America, West, and lives in Los Angeles with her husband, writer-producer Rick Alexander. [32] [33] [34]

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References

  1. ↑ Alexander, Valerie (October 22, 2018), How to Outsmart Your Own Unconscious Bias , retrieved January 1, 2023
  2. ↑ "5 powerful TED Talks on ethnic diversity and unconscious bias". CIPD. Retrieved January 1, 2023.
  3. ↑ "9 Inspiring Speakers Reveal Our Hidden Biases - KidLit Crossing". July 31, 2020. Retrieved January 1, 2023.
  4. ↑ Masuwa, Phillip; Sharma, Monica. "NHS Unconscious Bias Toolkit" (PDF). Midlands NHS Leadership Academy.
  5. ↑ "Implicit Bias Resources : Graduate School". gradschool.cornell.edu. Retrieved January 1, 2023.
  6. ↑ "Break the bias, stereotypes and discrimination". iqeq.com. Retrieved January 1, 2023.
  7. ↑ "Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion - School-Community Health Alliance of Michigan". April 19, 2021. Retrieved January 1, 2023.
  8. ↑ "Anti Implicit Bias and Anti Hate – Asian Sewist Collective" . Retrieved January 1, 2023.
  9. ↑ "Unconscious Bias Toolkit | Diverse Educators". June 20, 2022. Retrieved January 1, 2023.
  10. ↑ Educational Directions. "Bias in the Search Process and How You Might Mitigate Bias" (PDF).
  11. ↑ "Video of the Month – Student Affairs Committee on Inclusion" . Retrieved January 1, 2023.
  12. ↑ "Inspiration from a TED Talk by Valerie Alexander | L.E.K. Consulting". www.lek.com. Retrieved January 1, 2023.
  13. ↑ "Speakers | Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Certificate | USF Muma College of Business". www.usf.edu. Retrieved January 1, 2023.
  14. ↑ "Three lessons learned: How one university quickly created a certificate program that attracted 135,000 participants". narratives.insidehighered.com. Retrieved January 1, 2023.
  15. ↑ "Memories of Christmas". Hallmark Movies and Mysteries. Retrieved January 1, 2023.
  16. ↑ Takács, Tibor (December 8, 2018), Memories of Christmas (Drama, Romance), MarVista Entertainment, Sepia Films, retrieved January 1, 2023
  17. ↑ Amber, Ashley (December 28, 2022). "10 Must-See Hallmark Movies That Celebrate Diversity and Inclusion". Collider. Retrieved January 1, 2023.
  18. ↑ Dwilson, Stephanie Dube (December 20, 2018). "Top 12 Best Hallmark Christmas Movies You Must See in 2018". Heavy.com. Retrieved January 1, 2023.
  19. ↑ Newman-Bremang, Kathleen. "Jingle Jangle Is A Reminder That The Best Christmas Movies Are Black". www.refinery29.com. Retrieved January 1, 2023.
  20. ↑ "The Best Hallmark Christmas Movies (December 2022)". Digital Trends. December 2, 2022. Retrieved January 1, 2023.
  21. ↑ Walters, Meg (October 12, 2022). "The Best Hallmark Movies To Watch This Christmas". The List. Retrieved January 1, 2023.
  22. ↑ Alexander, Valerie (July 1, 2006), Making the Cut (Short, Comedy), Corser Communications, GoalKeeper Films, retrieved January 1, 2023
  23. ↑ Alexander, Valerie (September 24, 2016), Ballpark Bullies (Short, Drama), GoalKeeper Films, retrieved January 1, 2023
  24. ↑ Alexander, Valerie (November 27, 2010), The Wedding Matters (Documentary), Courage Campaign, GoalKeeper Films, Corser Communications, retrieved January 1, 2023
  25. ↑ "Say I Do" by AAH8.org , retrieved January 1, 2023
  26. ↑ "Writers Guild America West". www.wga.org. Retrieved January 1, 2023.
  27. ↑ "Valerie Alexander: books, biography, latest update". Amazon.com. Retrieved January 1, 2023.
  28. ↑ "Guru's Forum". Huffpost Live. Retrieved January 8, 2015.
  29. ↑ "Valerie Alexander and women in sport". CBC Radio. Retrieved January 8, 2015.
  30. ↑ "Here's how to actually enjoy your commute". Huffpost The Third Metric. Retrieved January 8, 2015.
  31. ↑ Tiger At Heart - Valerie Alexander 2016 Commencement Address , retrieved January 1, 2023
  32. ↑ "Should we ban weddings & baby showers". KIRO Radio. Retrieved January 8, 2015.
  33. ↑ Alexander, Valerie(July 7, 2014). . Jezebel. Retrieved January 8, 2015.
  34. ↑ Citizen Staff (October 21, 2015). "Filmmaker to give talk on overcoming 'Female Brains' in Seneca Falls". Auburn Citizen. Retrieved October 22, 2015.
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