Speakers

Valerie Biden-Owens

Chair of the Biden Institute at the University of Delaware

Valerie Biden Owens is the first woman in U.S. history to have run a presidential campaign — that of her brother, Joseph R. Biden, Jr. She also led his seven straight U.S. Senate victories and has been his principal surrogate on the campaign trail. Today, Valerie serves as Chair of the Biden Institute at the University of Delaware. She is a partner at Owens Patrick Leadership Seminars. Valerie sits on the Advisory Board of the Beau Biden Foundation for the Protection of Children.

For 20 years, when Valerie was not managing or advising President Biden’s campaigns, she served as Executive Vice President of Joe Slade White & Co., a media consulting firm. She has worked extensively with Women’s Campaign International, teaching women how to organize and develop communication and political skills. Valerie has also served on the National Board of the Women’s Leadership Forum of the Democratic National Committee and has served for 35 years on the board of The Ministry of Caring.

In 2015, Valerie delivered the keynote address for Harvard Law School’s International Women’s Day celebration and was one of 50 women presented with the school’s international “Women Inspiring Change” award. In 2021, she was named to the Forbes “50 Over 50 Women Who Are Leading the Way” impact list.

Valerie is the New York Times Bestselling author of “Growing Up Biden.” She is a graduate of the University of Delaware. Valerie is married to Jack Owens, an attorney and businessman. They have three children.