Dive into three powerful insights from Ginnie Mae’s Sam Valverde at The Alumni Society’s Catalyst DC event
Affordable housing has become a pressing issue for many Latinos across the US, and a recent conversation with a leader at the helm of this field sheds critical light on the topic.
Meet Sam Valverde (Dartmouth, Yale), Ginnie Mae acting president and the first Latino to serve in this role. A veteran public servant of fourteen-plus years, Valverde is bringing a wealth of expertise thanks to his rich experiences, education, and commitment to advancing diversity in government.
At Catalyst DC on October 30, 2024, The Alumni Society Cofounder Pedro A. Guerrero sat down with Valverde to explore his upbringing, his work at Ginnie Mae, and the leadership principles that guide him.
Here are three powerful insights from their conversation.
1. Being the Public Face Elevates Representation
Valverde’s role at Ginnie Mae marks the first time he’s been the public face of an organization. He saw himself as “the classic inside man” in his previous roles and didn’t realize how being the public face and voice of an organization “changes the temperature and the pressure level.”
The acting president wants his work and presence to pave the way for another Latino to be president of Ginnie Mae.
“First, I want it to be clear that I know what I’m doing, that I do this job with a level of technical excellence that’s important,” he said. “That’s not just because I care about my own personal reputation, but I don’t just represent myself. I want to make sure people know that this job can be done well by a Latino. And then also I bring everything I’ve learned, like some personal experience, to that work and make that work better as a result.”
2. Introverts, Play to Your Strengths
Valverde advises leaders who are introverts like him to play to their strengths, such as being a good listener. This is key leadership trait and, for Valverde, essential for effective decision-making.
“If you’re the smartest person in the room, you’re in the wrong room,” he explained. “I listen to my staff, I listen to the stakeholders, and that helps you make better decisions. So giving space to people to tell you what they think, to think about something critically, and come back to you—that’s important.”
3. Diverse Teams Are the Key to Success
As a leader in policymaking, Valverde believes that a diversity of perspectives is critical to success. He incorporates diversity, equity, and inclusion into his leadership style and the work that he does. Having diverse perspectives allows team members to look at issues from a multifaceted lens and understand which problems need focus, he said.
“In every instance, having different people approach the same problem results in better solutions,” he said.
The Alumni Society hosted Catalyst DC in partnership with AARP, on October 30, 2024, at District Winery in Washington, DC. The event featured a conversation between The Alumni Society Cofounder Pedro A. Guerrero and member Sam Valverde.
