Valeria is a cultural arts professional working internationally in the non-profit sector. She holds a degree in Arabic and Spanish from the University of Edinburgh and has a deep knowledge of the Middle East, having lived and studied in both Syria and Jordan and travelled extensively around the region. Valeria has been working with emerging artists from the Middle East for the Crossway Foundation since joining the organisation in early 2011, alongside consulting for its associate organisations Edge of Arabia and Culturunners.