I help my clients design and curate experiences that make people feel seen, heard, and valued.
Yulkendy's Story
Hi! ¡Hola! My name is Yulkendy Darlene Valdez Valdez Ortiz Hermoso. I am unapologetically a patchwork of cultures - Afro-Latina with Caribbean roots in the Dominican Republic, Midwesterner at heart from St. Louis, Missouri, and now a proud Northeastern currently based out of Brooklyn.
Since graduating from college in 2017, I have committed to engaging in meaningful projects that advance diversity, equity, and inclusion across the private and public sectors. I center transparency, humility, and vulnerability in my approach to working with collaborators and clients.
I am a Forbes 30 Under 30 Social Entrepreneur, BostInno 50 on Fire, Latino 30 Under 30 by El Mundo, Latinx Hispanic Exceptional Leader by theboardiQ, and a top Millennial Leader by Get Konnected. Media outlets including NPR, USA Today, The Washington Post, Huffington Post, Vice Impact, Boston Globe have featured me since I was 14 participating in the National Spelling Bee after speaking English for only two years.
I have traveled to 40+ countries for work and for fun. You can find me hiking, biking, or checking out the new coffee/restaurant or cocktail bar in town.
You can also find my talk on TED.com!
Keynote Presentation at the Impact Summit at Columbia University. You can check out Part 2 here.
Transparency, Humility, and Vulnerability Text
Learn more about how I do business through my Subkit article.
Services
Book me for a meeting, and let's have a chat.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Consulting
No more checking the box. It's time to redesign systems to become more fair and just.
- Workplace assessments including surveys, focus groups, and interviews
- 360 racial equity audits including process and document/artifacts review
Program Design and Facilitation
My approach to training and experiences is fun, interactive, and practical.
- Custom diversity, equity, and inclusion workshops (virtual and in-person)
- Bite-sized courses delivered via messaging (Whatsapp, SMS, or Facebook Messenger)
- Tailored educational sessions on entrepreneurship, leadership, and soft skills
Public Speaking
When I speak, I do not only bring my story but the narratives of resilient and powerful communities that deserve to be heard.
- Keynotes
- Interactive panels
- Custom talks (virtual and in-person)
Curated Travel Experiences
Having a global mindset is key to being a culturally competent leader. Travel can be a powerful tool for personal discovery.
- Staff and leadership retreats
- International programs for youth development (sponsorships available)
- Immersive experiences for Black, Latinx, Indigenous, and female founders (sponsorships available)
