Vallery Mitchell is a 31-year-old DeSoto, Texas native whose life began in foster care after being born with prenatal exposure to drugs and alcohol. Despite doctors’ concerns for her survival, she made a full recovery and spent her first six years in foster care before being adopted by the Mitchell family on September 15, 2000.

A graduate of Canterbury Episcopal College Preparatory School, Vallery was a member of the National Honor Society and a two-time State Champion volleyball player. She went on to earn her B.A. in Criminal Justice from Midwestern State University while working full-time in corrections and armed security. During her senior year, she reignited her passion for coaching volleyball, training over 100 athletes in the Wichita Falls area.

In 2016, Vallery returned to Dallas and began coaching at John Paul II Catholic High School before joining the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, where she rose from caseworker to State Office Contract Developer & Manager over six years. In 2023, she joined UME Preparatory Academy as Head of Program and Varsity Volleyball Coach, later becoming Director of Volleyball.

Her achievements include being named a 2024 AVCA Diversity Award Recipient, serving as a Lead Clinician at the AVCA Kids Volleyball Clinic, coaching with Gold Medal Squared, and Gainz of Grit Volleyball Clinics in 2025. She also serves as a volunteer coach and marketing director for Richland College Volleyball.

Vallery is the founder of Fostering Dreams Foundation, which was named the 2025 D CEO Micro Nonprofit of the Year for its impact on foster youth. Her mission is to restore normalcy and opportunity for children from all walks of life, and she lives by the motto:
“Support the children, sponsor their dreams.”