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Val Neumark Mickela (she/they) has worked in a variety of roles since 2000. Starting in 2000, they worked as an Art Teacher K-12 Programming at Massachusetts College of Art. In 2003, they became the Founding Principal of STAR Prep Academy and Director of the STAR Science Department, responsible for providing K-12 programming to 36 school districts in Southern California. In 2006, they became the Lead Graphic Designer at Galpin Motors, where they revitalized company branding and visual identity across multi-media platforms. Also in 2006, they started their own business, VNeumark Design, as a Communications Strategist and Designer. In 2009, they began working with Design Action Collective as a Graphic Designer and with Tiba Foundation as a Brand Consultant and Graphic Designer. Additionally, they worked with OperaWorks as a Communications Strategist, providing brand revitalization and strategic marketing including community development, advertising, and website design. They also co-founded the Rootid Nonprofit Communications organization and served as an Educator, Brand, Content, and Communications Strategist. In 2012, they became a Guest Lecturer at the University of San Francisco.

Val Neumark Mickela received a Bachelor of Arts in Visual Arts Studio & Media from UC San Diego in 2000. They then went on to earn a Master of Arts in Education from Pepperdine University in 2003. In 2010, Val Neumark Mickela began a Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) program at California College of the Arts, but did not complete the program.