SPeaker, Philanthropist, Mom

Valda Ford, MPH, MS, RN

Master of Public Health, Master of Science in Nursing Administration, Registered Nurse

Valda is a seasoned leader, who embodies a philosophy of doing well by doing good. With over three decades of experience spanning 60+ countries, her work extends beyond boardrooms to touch diverse communities worldwide. Valda’s empathetic approach and servant-leadership style drive her commitment to improving communication and fostering understanding among disparate groups. From her collaborations with esteemed organizations like the American Heart Association (AHA) and the National Institute on Health (NIH), Valda’s mission remains unwavering: to empower individuals and create positive, lasting change.

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Transforming Women’s Health

Valda Ford has been a pioneering figure in women’s health advocacy for over 30 years. She founded and organized the Red Dress Event in Omaha, providing local women with a well-deserved night out filled with joy. Her commitment extends globally as she immediately traveled to Sri Lanka after the 2004 Tsunami, supporting the rebuilding of affected women’s lives. Valda has established the Center for Human Diversity, underscoring her innovative problem-solving approach while advocating for women and disenfranchised groups. From conducting workforce assessments to implementing community-based programs and HIV/STD prevention strategies for vulnerable populations, Valda’s mission for women’s health continues to inspire and impact communities worldwide. Explore more about Valda’s transformative initiatives in women’s health.

Always a Hit!

Valda is always the hit of our low birthweight and maternal mortality conferences. Community members and professionals ask for her EVERY year. She is so engaging and entertaining while she educates us!
Cynthia Dean
President, National Healthy Start

Polished and Professional

Valda Boyd Ford is a polished and professional speaker with the refined ability to thoroughly engage an audience. She is prepared with her speech and presentation, keeping her audience demographic top of mind. Valda easily establishes a welcoming atmosphere within the room during her talk, developing a warm tone through her relatable and interactive presentation.
Sarah Fedele, American Heart Association
Director of Marketing and Communication

Engaging and Interactive

Valda joined us as a keynote speaker at our organization to share her expertise on public speaking with our employees. She gave an engaging and interactive session on how to achieve the next level of success while highlighting pitfalls to avoid. Her tips and tricks resonated with employees of all levels and her expertise shined throughout the presentation. She was a pleasure to work with and was incredibly responsive and happy to answer all of our questions.
Sarah Riley, SHRM-CP, MSHRM
Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Specialist at ManTech

Who is Valda Ford?

For over 30 years, Valda has been a trailblazer in women’s health advocacy, exemplifying unwavering commitment in engaging with diverse groups. Her journey serves as a testament to her unwavering dedication to making a difference in the lives of women and diverse communities worldwide.

Valda’s upbringing in a small North Carolina town was steeped in the resilient spirit of hardworking women. Raised by a beautician mother who served the local cotton mill and furniture factory workers, Valda began her journey at the tender age of 10, meticulously tending to their hair while absorbing their tales of life’s triumphs and tribulations.

These women, with their stories of love, heartache, and unwavering resilience, became Valda’s early mentors, nurturing her innate gift for listening—a skill she would later credit as one of her greatest professional strengths. By her teenage years, Valda had become a captivating storyteller in her own right, skillfully weaving narratives inspired by the rich tapestry of experiences shared in her mother’s salon.

Despite discouragement from local school administrators, who urged her to pursue more “practical” paths, Valda’s determination to attend college was steadfast. It was the encouragement of these hardworking women, who reminded her that her dreams were hers to pursue, that fueled her ambition to defy expectations and carve her own path to success.

Valda’s academic journey began with a Bachelor of Science degree from Winston-Salem State University, followed by a Master of Public Health in Health Policy Analysis and Administration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She then earned her Master of Nursing Administration from Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska, where she also served on the faculty of the School of Nursing for five years.

Her nursing career took her across the globe and eventually to the Caribbean, where she founded a highly successful cardiac, stroke, and physical rehabilitation services company. However, her passion for education and designing community-based programs led her back to the United States, where she established the Center for Human Diversity.

During this time, Valda collaborated with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) on education and policy development initiatives, showcasing her ability to work with diverse community groups and global agencies. Today, she is renowned as a professional presenter on leadership, public health, and cultural competency, having delivered her message in over 60 countries and across 25 states in the United States. From workshops on customer service and law enforcement to seminars dedicated to improving the health of vulnerable populations globally, Valda’s approach resonates with audiences worldwide, from health science students to international forums.

Valda’s passion for serving disadvantaged communities took her to new heights when she assumed the role of Director of Refugee Initiatives for Unite for Sight in 2005. In this capacity, she led initiatives to provide sight-restoring cataract surgeries and distribute thousands of eyeglasses to residents of refugee camps worldwide. Collaborating with eye doctors and surgeons, Valda forged partnerships aimed at delivering essential eye care to those who could not afford it.

Beyond eye care, Valda worked tirelessly to develop sustainable educational programs for children in the camps, focusing on eye safety, nutrition, and learning assessments. She also spearheaded microenterprise programs to empower women in these communities.

Valda’s humanitarian efforts did not go unnoticed. She was honored as “Humanitarian of the Year” in 2005 and “Volunteer of the Year” in 2006. In 2007, she delivered a keynote address at the Global Refugee Relief Conference in Amsterdam, Netherlands, where she addressed the critical need for cultural competency and preparedness among refugee camp relief workers.

Implementing effective community programs requires dedication and perseverance. Valda embarked on this challenging journey with her first program in the United States, the Heart and Soul Red Dress Dinner and Seminar. This initiative aimed to unite disenfranchised women with financially successful counterparts, offering a culturally appropriate setting for health education. Over four years, the event blossomed, attracting over 800 women from 38 cultures and 18 languages. Mentorship flourished, micro-loans were distributed, and home-based businesses emerged as testaments to its impact.

Building on this success, Valda introduced the Living, Laughing, and Loving series, empowering women to define success on their own terms. Recognizing the importance of holistic well-being, her workshops and keynotes emphasize the intersectionality of physical, emotional, and financial health with career success.

Valda’s unwavering commitment extends to her mission to reduce infant and maternal mortality, where she serves as a frequent speaker and trainer for Healthy Start agencies. Leveraging her extensive nursing experience, she develops engaging and informative programs that resonate with diverse audiences. By providing sexual literacy and relationship information, she empowers individuals to take control of their health and shape healthier communities for future generations.

Beyond her community-focused initiatives, Valda’s impact extends to her role on the Director’s Council of Public Representatives, advising the director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Her collaboration with the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute and her interpretation of the NIH’s Heart Truth Campaign through the Heart and Soul Red Dress Event highlight her influential contributions to public health advocacy.

When she’s not on the road inspiring audiences, Valda cherishes her time at home, caring for her family and their beloved giant puppy. As a passionate leader and registered nurse, Valda values the importance of spending quality time with her friends and family in North Carolina. Living a life dedicated to serving others gives her a deep understanding of the importance of finding time to restore and recharge with her loved ones.

This commitment to balance doesn’t mean she stays at home all the time. You can often catch Valda and her son operating their food truck, Kibi’s Crazy Casserole, around Guilford County and Charlotte, NC. Their collaboration on the food truck allows them to connect with the community and share their culinary passion. Follow them on Facebook to see their engaging digital reels showcasing the day’s menu offerings and to find out where they’ll be next!

Awards and Affiliations

Valda is no stranger to driving change. She has gone the extra mile by obtaining certifications in sexuality/sexual health, women’s health, leadership, cultural competency, and DEI, bolstering her expertise acquired through years of nursing school and international experience.

Global Speakers
Federation
Toastmasters
International
Society for Human Resource Management
National Speaker Associatwion
High Point Chamber of Commerce
Association for Talen Development

Affiliations

  • American and Nebraska Nurses’ Association
  • Community/Campus Partnerships for Health
  • Global Speakers Network
  • High Point Chamber of Commerce
  • National Speakers’ Association
  • Nebraska Cancer Awareness, Research, Education, and Service Committee
  • Sigma Theta Tau International Nursing Honor Society
  • Society for Human Resource Management
  • The Nebraska Minority Public Health Association
  • The Nebraska Public Health Association
  • The Omaha Women’s Fund
  • Toastmasters International

Awards

  • “Outstanding Business Woman” – Triad Business Journal (2016)
  • “Tribute to Women – Community Advocate” – YWCA of Omaha (2009)
  • “African American Leadership Award – Health” – Urban League of Nebraska (2009)
  • “Pillars of Fame” – High Point Housing Authority, (2008)
  • “Legacy of Health Award” – National Coalition of 100 Black Women (2008)
  • “Woman of Influence in Multicultural Leadership” – Lincoln Journal Star (2007)
  • “Woman of Distinction” – Nebraska Commission on the Status of Women (2006)
  • “Heartland Proud” (Recognition) – KPTM FOX 42 (2006)
  • “Humanitarian of the Year” – Unite for Sight (2006)
  • “Volunteer of the Year” – Unite for Sight (2005)
  • “Remarkable Heartland Woman” (Finalist) – Omaha Symphony (2005)
  • “Woman of Distinction” – Omaha Healthy Start (2003)
  • “Business Woman of the Year” – Business / Professional Women’s Association (2003)
  • “Positive Image of Nursing Award” – Nebraska Nursing Association (2002)

Praise for Valda

Read more reviews from groups Valda has worked with.

Mesmerizing!

Ms. Ford had the entire group mesmerized in short order with her commanding presence, her authoritative presentation of the substance of the issues, and her mix of styles—humor, stories, solid use of data. They loved her humor, her charisma, and the content of what she presented. Valda was a huge hit! She is outstanding!
Mary R. Hamilton, Ph.D., CAE
Director of Professional Programs
University of Nebraska at Omaha School of Public Administration

Enlightened and Inspired!

Valda both enlightened and inspired. And brought in some humor and wonderful stories to hammer your point home. I overheard and directly heard so many compliments and takeaways. You are my hero!
Carolyn Jenkins, DTM
Certified World Class Speaking Coach, Speak with Heart

Engaged, innovative

Valda engaged the audience in innovative ways that captivated everyone’s attention and made the time fly by. She was humorous, informative, inquisitive and heartfelt!
Maria Julian
Director of Community Health Services
Annual Training, Appalachian District Health Department
A Powerful Voice for Change

Redefining the Keynote Presentation

Valda Ford is a dynamic speaker renowned for her expertise in health advocacy and passionate commitment to community empowerment. From Fortune 500 conferences to local fundraisers, her impactful keynotes inspire audiences worldwide to drive positive change and maximize their potential for success.

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