Matthew Valdez

Peer Leader, Lowell High School

"Matt is a champion of youth because he's made a commitment to be there for kids who are now facing some of the same obstacles he did growing up. He's a coach, mentor, and role model, leading by example and showing the youth of today that they can achieve their dreams through hard work and an emphasis on education."

Matt Valdez was born and raised in the Excelsior District in San Francisco and is a proud Peers Alum. He currently serves as Associate General Counsel for the San Francisco Giants. He handles a wide range of legal matters involving business transactions, intellectual property, real estate, immigration and other initiatives. Prior to joining the Giants, Matt worked as a real estate attorney at Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman in San Francisco. Matt attended Cal. State University Northridge where he studied Urban Studies and Planning. During his time at Northridge and after graduation, Matt worked for a non-profit affordable housing developer in Los Angeles, running social programs and assisting with the development of low-income housing for families, seniors and formerly homeless persons. Matt attended UC Hastings College of the Law and currently lives in San Francisco, in the Excelsior.

"I’d like to assist young students, particularly low-income students of color, of San Francisco and the broader Bay Area to grow and flourish here. The City has gone through a lot of change since I was young, but there are still a lot of amazing students here that need just a little support to be able to unlock their potential. I’m hopeful that by showing these youth that we care and we are here to support them, they can develop into the amazing leaders of tomorrow that we so desperately need."

Matthew Valdez