Welcome, Valerie Santoyo!

A warm welcome and introduction to our community for Valerie Santoyo. She is Cooking for the Crowd's first staff member and serving as Administrative and Communications Assistant. She comes to us with a solid background in community organizing and a heart of service.

We sat down with Valerie for a brief Q&A to get to know her better.

1. Tell us a little about yourself. I’m a community-focused professional currently pursuing my college degree while building experience in administration, communications, and events. Outside of work and school, I volunteer with organizations that focus on service and connection, which is what drew me to Cooking for the Crowd. I care deeply about supporting missions that bring people together and create real impact.

2. Who has influenced your life journey the most? The mentors, community leaders and friends I’ve met through nonprofits and chamber of commerce work have shaped me the most. Seeing women lead with purpose, resilience, and generosity has pushed me to grow, keep learning, and believe in building something bigger than myself.

3. What food trend are you most excited about right now? I love fusion concepts, I adore Cris and Johns - it mixes Vietnamese and Mexican cuisine. I am a sucker for their Carne Asada Baos.

4. Favorite comfort food? Mac & Cheese! It's so easy to make.

5. What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? Say yes to opportunities that align with your values, even if you’re still learning. Growth comes from showing up.

6. What’s one creative goal you have for your time at Cooking for the Crowd?  I’d love to help strengthen our storytelling through visuals, content, and behind-the-scenes moments that show the heart of the organization and the people we serve.

   
   

   

   
   

   Welcome, Valerie! It's great to have you on board with Cooking for the Crowd.