Valerie L. Rochester, Vice President of Hinton Hoytt and Associates, based in Silver Spring, Maryland, has more than 18 years of experience in the health and human services field, specializing in addressing the health education and prevention needs of communities of color. Committed to building the capacity of national and community-based organizations of color, she has served as a consultant to the Office of Minority Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Administration for Children and Families; Health Resources and Services Administration, Office on Women’s Health, and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration on strategies to better engage communities in the design and implementation of effective intervention strategies. She also has provided volunteer support to community-based health and human service agencies nationwide, and has developed programs and services for women’s health and faith-based organizations.