The California City Management Foundation (CCMF) is pleased to award Valerie Barone the final $5,000 Harvard Kennedy School scholarship in the 2017-18 program year.
Valerie Barone is the City Manager of Concord. She holds a Master of Business Administration degree from California State University, Sacramento, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Natural Resource Planning from California State University, Humboldt.
Valerie has worked in the local government sphere for nearly 30 years; however, her passion for helping communities emerged when she served as a Community Development Specialist in the Philippine Islands for the US Peace Corps. This experience guided her to begin her local government career as a Staff Planner. She has worked in various northern California cities and fullfilled roles including Planning, Recreation & Neighborhood Services Director and Community Development Director. Having joined the City of Concord as Assistant City Manager in 2008, Valerie served as Interim City Manager in 2012 and was appointed permanent City Manager in 2013.
Backed by the dedication to support and improve her communities, Valerie’s participation in the “Senior Executives in State and Local Government” program will provide greater opportunities to leverage her newfound knowledge. The concepts and strategies to be learned from the program can be applied in her leadership as the City Manager of Concord, in her role as a leader within the city management profession, and as a mentor – formally and informally – for the next generation of government leaders.
Each year, CCMF offers up to three scholarships to active CCMF members who have been accepted to a Harvard Kennedy School program, with a focus on their “Leadership Decision Making: Optimizing Organizational Performance” program. Leadership Decision Making teaches leaders how to answer tough questions, improve the accuracy of your estimates, and structure effective negotiations. The next program will take place in October; learn more about how to apply at www.cacitymanagers.org/harvard-scholarship.
“More than a city manager, Valerie is a leader,” said Wade McKinney, President of CCMF. “Her participation in this program will empower her to gain new skills, which she will utilize to the benefit of her community. We are happy to support her pursuit of greater excellence in the city management profession.”
On behalf of us here at CCMF, congratulations to Valerie!