The Boston Arts Academy (BAA) Foundation has named Valerie Becker-Nogueira as its new Director of Events and Corporate Partnerships. The Dorchester native is a proud alum of BAA, a member of the third graduating class, who continued her education at Emerson College, earning a Bachelor of Science in Marketing Communications.

She is the founding chair of the Boston Arts Academy Alumni Board and Association, which supports more than 1,800 BAA alums in 26 states and abroad.

Said BAA Foundation President & CEO Denella Clark of the group’s new director: “As a BAA alum, she understands firsthand the needs of our students and will be able to apply her experiences to better help the Foundation create programing that continues to bridge the gap between the Boston Arts Academy’s allocation from the Boston Public Schools, and the true cost of a high-quality education that is both arts-intensive and college preparatory.”

Becker-Nogueira has spent the majority of her professional life in the service of others. Her non-profit career began at the Boys and Girls Club of Dorchester, and in 2008, she joined the American Red Cross.

“I am excited to support Boston Arts Academy students and a school that holds a special place in my heart,” she said. “If not for Boston Arts Academy and my experiences there, I would have never studied dance or attended college.”