Valarie J. McCall is the Chief of Communications, Government & International Affairs for the City of Cleveland. McCall serves as Mayor Frank G. Jackson’s primary liaison to local and state government, federal agencies and international organizations. She also oversees the administration’s appointments to internal and external boards and commissions, and helps implement the Mayor’s policies to promote regional growth and cooperation. McCall also oversees the City of Cleveland’s communications strategy, media relations and brand identity.
McCall is the Mayor’s primary representative to several national organizations, including the U.S. Conference of Mayors, National League of Cities and the National Black Caucus of Local and Elected Officials. She is also past chair of the American Public Transit Association’s Executive Committee (board member emeritus). McCall serves on the board of several Cleveland-based organizations and was the City lead for the 2016 Republican National Convention Host Committee and a member of the 2014 Gay Games Cleveland Host Committee.
McCall represents the Jackson administration overseas, including many of Cleveland’s sister cities. She is as a former panel member at the United Nations International Development Organization’s Conference on Urban Agglomerations and a former member of the Rouen Business School International Panel.
McCall is a recipient of numerous accolades including the prestigious Cleveland State University Alumni Emerging Leadership Award, Ebony Magazine Young Leader of the Future award, Crain’s Cleveland Business 40 under 40 award, Lifetime Achievement award from the Liberia Economic Development Initiative, U.S. Secret Service Appreciation award, Cleveland State University Young Public Administrator of the Year award and the Smart Business Magazine Progressive Woman award among others.
McCall is a native Clevelander. She holds a bachelor’s degree in social work, a master’s degree in public administration and an honorary doctor of public service degree from Cleveland State University.
