Get to know CSA Education’s Vice President of Learning Design, Cecilia (Cecy) Valenzuela, with our updated staff Q&A!
Interviewer: What is your name and role at CSA?
Cecy: Cecy Valenzuela; Vice President, Learning Design
Interviewer: What is a win you’ve had recently that made you proud to work in education?
Cecy: A recent win for me has been seeing our work on the New Mexico History project come to life. We’re not just building curriculum—we’re elevating real voices, stories, and perspectives that students don’t always get access to. Sitting in interviews with community leaders and knowing their stories will reach classrooms across the state… that’s the kind of work that reminds me why I’m in education. It’s meaningful, it’s human, and it has the potential to stick with students long after they leave the classroom.
Interviewer: If you had to describe the vibe of the CSA team in three words, what would they be?
Cecy: Collaborative. Resourceful. Mission-Driven.
Interviewer: What’s a common misconception about your role that you’d love to clear up?
Cecy: A common misconception about my role is that it is primarily creative or focused only on content development. While creativity is definitely a big part of what I do, a large portion of my role is actually centered around strategy, communication, problem-solving, and managing complex workflows across teams and clients. A lot of the work happens behind the scenes to make sure projects stay aligned, teams feel supported, and the final product truly meets the needs of educators and learners.
Interviewer: What’s the most helpful piece of professional advice you’ve ever received?
Cecy: The best advice I’ve received is to always lead with clarity and empathy at the same time. You can hold a high bar and still be deeply supportive of your team. In fact, the best leaders do both as demonstrated by Robin Gonzales (my manager and mentor). That’s something I try to bring into every conversation, whether it’s with my team, a client, or a partner.
Interviewer: When you aren’t at your desk, where are we most likely to find you?
Cecy: You’ll most likely find me with my three young kids—at a softball field, at the park, or just at home spending time together. My family is a huge part of who I am, and I try to be really intentional about being present with them. That’s my reset.
Interviewer: Which CSA core value resonates the most with you and why?
Cecy: “We care” resonates with me the most. Challenging projects and difficult client situations are inevitable in this field, so having a team that genuinely supports one another makes a huge difference. What I appreciate most is that this value extends beyond our internal culture. Our team truly cares about the work we deliver to clients, and that shows in the level of quality, thoughtfulness, and commitment we bring to every project. There is a shared sense of pride in creating work that not only meets expectations, but genuinely supports educators and learners.
Interviewer: What was your first-ever job, and what did it teach you?
Cecy: My first-ever job was working at a grocery store as a bagger when I was 15 years old. Looking back, it taught me a lot about communication and customer service at an early age. Interacting with so many different people every day helped me learn patience, professionalism, and how to make others feel supported, which are all skills that continue to play a huge role in my current position.
Interviewer: What is one thing—big or small—that you are currently learning?
Cecy: I’m continuing to learn how to thoughtfully integrate AI into our workflows in a way that actually supports our teams, not overwhelms them. There’s a lot of opportunity there, but it has to be intentional.
Interviewer: If you could give a shout-out to one colleague today, who would it be and why?
Cecy: If I could give a shout-out to one colleague today, it would absolutely be to Robin Gonzales. She has been my boss, mentor, and one of my biggest supporters for the past 12 years. Robin has played such an important role in my professional growth, not just by guiding me through challenges, but by continually believing in me and pushing me to grow into leadership roles I may not have pursued on my own.
What I appreciate most is her ability to lead with both high expectations and genuine care for people. I have learned so much from the way she builds relationships, navigates challenges, and always keeps the bigger picture in mind. I truly would not be where I am today without her mentorship and support.
Click here to learn more about Cecy!
Page last updated July 2026
