Her Story
About Valerie
Valerie Santiago is an advocate and entrepreneur based in Central Florida who transitioned to self-employment in 2020. After earning her nursing degree from Valencia College while working full-time and pregnant, she became a stay-at-home mom following her son's autism diagnosis. She serves on the board of the Autism Mom Alliance, formerly known as Autism Mama, and was recently appointed regional chair for the National Council of Severe Autism. Through these roles, Valerie engages in parent support groups and works toward policymaking and legislative changes to improve resources for children with disabilities and their families in Florida. She attributes her perseverance and success to her desire to set an example for her son and the next generation, demonstrating that challenges like autism do not define one's potential.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Valerie
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my son. I wanted to show him that I could do it, even while pregnant, working full-time, and finishing my degree. I wanted to prove that women can accomplish their goals and not give up. My perseverance came from wanting to set an example for the next generation, including my son, so that his autism doesn't stop him either.
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