VALEISHA BUTTERFIELD JONES

Valeisha Butterfield Jones is an award-winning and globally recognized business leader with proven impact at the intersections of technology, politics and entertainment. She currently serves as the Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer for the Recording Academy.

Prior to this role, Valeisha served as the Global Head of Inclusion for Google, Inc. responsible for accelerating diversity, equity and inclusion outcomes for underrepresented communities internally and externally across the global brand. Valeisha also served as the National Youth Vote Director for the Obama for America campaign, helping to deliver one of the highest youth voter turnouts in American history and in the Obama Administration as the Deputy Director of Public Affairs for International Trade. 

She also served as the Executive Director / Senior Vice President of Rush Communications (Hip-Hop Summit Action Network) and as the National Director of Diversity and Inclusion for the Alzheimer's Association. Her career began at Home Box Office (HBO Sports) and has spanned for two decades. Valeisha also co-founded the Women in Entertainment Empowerment Network (WEEN) in 2007, a non-profit, global coalition of women and men committed to the balanced, positive portrayal of women in the entertainment industry.

Her leadership has been recognized by Forbes Magazine, Glamour Magazine, Ebony Magazine's Power 100, The Root 100, Essence Magazine's Top 40 Under 40, Elle Magazine's Top 25 Most Inspiring Women, Fortune, and others. Valeisha also serves on the National Board of Directors of ColorComm, MC Lyte’s Hip Hop Sisters Network and iVote for America. Valeisha is a wife, mom, proud graduate of Clark Atlanta University, advocate and author. Follow her on IG/Twitter @valeisha and stay connected atwww.valeisha.org.