The Second Episcopal District African Methodist Episcopal Church
Women In Ministry
REVEREND DR. VALDES J. SNIPES
Reverend Dr. Valdes J. Snipes is Senior Pastor of Mt. Zion AME church, Severn, Maryland. Dr. Snipes served as Senior Pastor of Cornerstone AME Church of LaPlata, MD from April 2012.-2016. She is an ordained Itinerant Elder in the African Methodist Episcopal Church. Prior to her call to the ordained ministry she served in many lay leadership positions and served 10 years as Church Administrator of Hemingway Memorial. Rev. Dr. Snipes served as the Washington Conference Women in Ministry (WIM) Caucus Leader for the Capital District (2010-14) and serves as the Executive/District Administrator to the Episcopal Leadership and to the Second Episcopal District (2012-2016) and administrative support (2016-2017) Currently, Dr. Snipes serves as the Second Episcopal District Women in Ministry (WIM) Second Vice-President.
Dr. Snipes holds degrees and certificates in the following: BA degree in Gerontology, High Point University; Certificates in Gerontology from Livingston College and North Carolina A & T University; Master Public Administration (MPA) specializing in Gerontology and Counseling. North Carolina Central University; PhD in Organization and Management, specializing in Leadership, Capella University; Master in Divinity (MDiv) from Howard University School of Divinity. She was awarded the Dean’s Award (academic excellence) for being one of three highest ranking graduates while attending Howard University Divinity School, for two years she received the Trustee’s scholarship and was inducted into an International Honor Society.
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Dr. Snipes has 27 years working in the field of Aging, intergenerational programs, leadership and management. Over the years, she has held leadership and executive management positions, managing program budgets up to 50 million. She was Director of Employment Program with United Services for Older Adults; Program Officer/Training Coordinator and Director of Senior Community Service Employment (SEE) Program with Senior Service America (SSAI); Deputy Director of Workforce Development and Initiatives with the National Council on Aging (NCOA); and Director of Day Services with EPIC (Empowering Individuals with Intellectual Challenges). She has traveled extensively across the US advocating for older adults and training professionals in leadership, working in the fields of aging, employment and training and currently health field serving individuals with disabilities and intellectual challenges.
Dr. Snipes is currently Founder/CEO of Sed-Lav, Inc. Management and Administrative Support services, offering editorial services to authors and assist them in self-publishing. Dr. Snipes is CEO/Executive Director of United Cerebral Palsy of Washington, DC and Northern VA and the Board member and Academic Dean of Peace Multicultural Theological Seminary. Dr Snipes is a certified Prepare/Enrich facilitator.
Dr. Snipes is mother of Carlton J. Bennett, Godmother of Joi A. Wilson and Grandmother of Cannon R. Carter-Bennett.
Dr. Snipes loves the Lord. She is committed to uplifting and motivating people. She has been called to help individuals recognize their God-given potential and empower them to use their talents and gifts to the fullest in building and equipping God’s kingdom. Dr. Snipes is a leader, change agent, and administrator who is faithful, committed, and dedicated to her Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ. Her favorite scriptures are: Psalm 34:1-“I will bless the Lord at all times, His praises shall continually be in my month” and Philippians 4:13-“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”.
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