Valerie
Pinto

Valerie Pinto, a leading strategic advisor to senior corporate leaders, founders and institutions for thirty years specializing in corporate strategy, stakeholder outreach, ecosystem management, alliances and partnerships across multiple markets across Asia. Her networks, access and understanding of the Indian economic and political environment is unmatched in the country today. Her experience to work at the intersection of corporate strategy, policy and innovation is what makes her unique for the market that is dominant in the global south. Valerie leads the Indian market and the corporate practice across Asia in her role at APCO, integrating teams across the region and guiding the practice to enhance clients reputation, crisis management while protecting their interests and communicating their value as they navigate evolving economic and political environments in the region.

Valerie has  been at the helm of several leading communications consultancies in India over the last 30 years. She led India’s largest PR and policy consulting firm Perfect Relations where she grew the company to become the largest and strongest in the Indian market. She then moved on to Weber Shandwick, an integrated communications consultancy, as the CEO and Director on the board. During her tenure, apart from leading and shaping the integrated communications team, she built a strong consulting practice which focused on ESG, Policy advocacy, Crisis and reputation management, Leadership training, employer branding and culture management, investor advisory and social impact.

Valerie’s prowess has garnered numerous accolades, placing Weber Shandwick India in the coveted spotlight of recognition at renowned award ceremonies like Cannes, PR Week, Mumbrella, Stevies,and Sabre. Recognized for her remarkable expertise, Valerie has been entrusted with notable responsibilities, including the esteemed position of Jury Chair for the Public Relations category at Th ABBY One Show Awards in 2023. She has also been handpicked as a discerning juror for Cannes Lions 2023 in the PR category, as well as for the Dubai Lynx 2023 and Spikes Asia award and Jury President at Yellow Pencil

Beyond her executive responsibilities, Valerie is a champion of industry progress. She has lent her discerning eye and expertise as a special jury member for the Fulcrum Awards in 2020, Cannes Lions in 2016 and 2019, as well as the WARC Awards in the same year. Valerie’s commitment to giving backi s exemplified through her role as a nominated member on the board of Path, an esteemed not-for- profit organization in India. In addition, she passionately imparts her wealth of knowledge and experiences as a guest speaker at prestigious academic institutions and as a TEDx speaker, empowering the next generation of creative minds. Valerie’s dedication to mentorship shines through her involvement with the aspiring students of Vedica College for Women. Through her dynamic leadership, she continues to shape and redefine the Indian advertising landscape, igniting inspiration among the next generation of creative professionals. Valerie’s exceptional achievements have solidified her standing as an important figure in the industry. The creative leadership she exudes earned her the esteemed Campaign 360 Women Leading Change Award in 2020, as well as recognition as one of the top 25 innovators by Provoke Asia Pacific in the same year. Her influential stature is further underscored by her inclusion among the 50 Most Influential Women in the Indian media, marketing, and advertising space, as recognized by Impact, Reputation Management top 100 people in communications apart from several local awards.

Valerie is a Post graduate from St. Xaviers College Mumbai, specialized in economic and political science. She has also done an Executive Leadership Program from RICE University in Association with St. Stephens College New Delhi. She is a crusador for women entrepreneurship in the country as she is on the board of Aspire For Her, supports womens empowerment through her work, works with filmmaker  Vibha Bakshi to raise the issue around gender violence and equal opportunity. She is also a mentor to teens and tweens on shaping their career and mindset toward life through Take Charge. She works closely with women entreprenuers on shaping their branding and communications strategy and empowers them to grow at scale to raise capital.