Jacqueline Valatka is a passionate Finance Manager and community advocate with a deep love for the arts, the environment, and global connections. Born and raised in Nairobi, Kenya, Jacquie developed a strong sense of environmental stewardship and cultural appreciation from an early age. Her diverse academic journey took her through four different college preparatory systems, starting with the Kenya KCE, followed by the London GCE, the French Baccalaureate, and a year as one of eight exchange students representing Kenya in the United States. She completed her higher education at Northeastern University, earning two undergraduate degrees—one in Accounting and another in Finance—along with an MBA focused on Finance and Entrepreneurship.
An avid traveler and cultural exchange enthusiast, Jacquie and her family have hosted exchange students from Ota, Japan, and she has visited Japan on exchange herself. She believes in the power of art, music, and food to unite people, fostering a shared experience that can inspire greater compassion across cultures.
Known for her adventurous spirit and boundless energy, Jacquie’s passions extend far beyond finance. She enjoys art, teaching, reading, photography, aerobics, hiking, karate, swimming, yoga, playing the piano, dancing, cooking, and much more. Her love for community and education is reflected in her local work, at the house of the Seven Gables which has a rich tradition of building community and working with immigrant populations as well as at the Salem YMCA where she teaches swim lessons and adult water fitness classes. Jacquie contributes to local organizations dedicated to preserving history, the environment and building community. Jacquie also works with The Punto Urban Art Museum as a Mural Ambassador, the Creative Collective, and Historic Salem, as well as serving on the boards of Salem Alliance for the Environment and Destination Salem.
Jacquie, her husband Joseph, and their two children call Salem, Massachusetts home, where she can often be found along the sea at dawn and dusk chasing the light, creating art at the Peabody Essex Museum, exploring local green spaces, or volunteering at one of the many local music and art festivals. Her passion for bringing people together through culture, history, and shared experiences continues to inspire those around her. Jacquie has an art practice with her daughter where they explore new mediums and techniques. Art has a unique way of connecting people. This is her first mural.
