Alumni Fireside Chat with Heather Valdez

Heather Valdez

Senior Manager, Opportunity & Inclusion

The Walt Disney Company

https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-valdez/

Heather Valdez is a dedicated human resources and diversity, equity & inclusion (DEI) professional with a passion for creating inclusive environments where people feel valued and empowered. A graduate of Carnegie Mellon University’s Tepper School of Business, Heather has built a career centered on strategic DEI practice, cross‑functional collaboration, and people‑focused solutions.

Currently serving as Senior Manager of Opportunity & Inclusion at The Walt Disney Company, Heather partners with leaders and teams to design and implement initiatives that foster belonging and elevate diverse perspectives. Prior to her role at Disney, she spent several years at Lockheed Martin, where she developed expertise in human capital strategy, employee engagement, and DEI program leadership across business functions.

Heather is known for her thoughtful approach to inclusive strategy development, her commitment to collaboration, and her belief in the power of people‑centered solutions. She is excited to share her journey from Tepper to corporate DEI leadership and to offer insights for MBA students exploring careers in human resources, DEI, and organizational strategy.