WASHINGTON (July 29, 2021) – Valyncia Saunders was a member of the Howard University women's soccer team where she graduated with an undergraduate degree in journalism (1999).
 
After Howard, she became a general business lawyer and strategic leader with experience in litigation (particularly involving intellectual property) and a highly regulated industry resolving marketing, sales and compliance issues. She has served as a business unit lead counsel while also devising trade program agreements.
 
Before moving in-house (2014), Saunders spent over a decade as a litigator protecting trademark and other intellectual property rights of high-profile companies. She has also led high-functioning teams, focused on import-export, anti-bribery/anti-corruption and sanctions compliance.
 
Over the past 17 years, Saunders has primarily advised Fortune 500 companies with well-known consumer-facing brands. She is well-versed in the goals and challenges of such companies.
 
As a thinking partner with senior leadership and the various business teams she has supported over the years, Saunders has successfully worked with those teams to meet their business objectives of increasing revenue and reducing unnecessary costs.
 
Currently, Saunders is the Senior Assistant General Counsel, Managing Director supporting Altria's investment in Cronos, a Canadian cannabis company with a U.S. subsidiary that offers hemp-derived CBD (Cannabidiol) products. She also supports Altria's Strategy & Business Development department as they manage investments.
 
Employing a leadership philosophy that focuses on quick learning, Saunders prefers to create strong professional relationships with team members while training and building upon their strengths.
 
In her spare time, she volunteers with organizations dedicated to protecting civil rights.
 
About Where Are They Now?
 
The weekly series of "Where Are They Now?" appears each Thursday throughout the year.
 
The series will feature former student-athletes from all sports and eras, highlighting their careers as athletes at the University and what they are presently doing.
 
All interested former athletes and their coaches should submit a short bio, a recent head shot and contact information on how they can be reached via email to Monet Bowen (monet.bowen@bison.howard.edu) and Derek W. Bryant (derek.bryant@howard.edu).
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.