Valerie Peña is a junior from Bethlehem, Pennsylvania attending the George Washington University, where she dual-majors in Political Communications and Dance. She first became interested in animal welfare in high school, where she volunteered at the local humane society, assisting with adoption fundraisers and animal care. She also co-founded and led her high school’s Animal Welfare club. Now in college, she is involved in the Green GW Sustainability Club, Surfrider GW, and the Sunrise Divest GW Movement. She worked as a communications intern for Anima Welfare Institute (AWI) for one year and is now working as a communications coordinator for the Safe Havens for Pets social media.

In the future, she hopes to continue working in the animal welfare world, using her social media, design, and video-production skills to create compelling content advocating for the well-being of all animals.