As a businesswoman, she helped start a Tacoma restaurant, has served on several nonprofit boards, appeared as guest speaker on radio and stage, passed legislation, and ran for political office. A mother of six, Monique still balances career, family and community involvement. Her entire life story of rising from homelessness to accomplished leader is the true American Dream.
Monique landed in Tacoma via Fort Lewis. Throughout her high school and early career, she worked in numerous restaurants in the area from E.R. Rogers in Steilacoom to Stanley and Seafort’s and was eventually promoted to Palisade in the Elliott Bay Marina. She co-founded Adriatic Grill near the Tacoma Mall in 2007 and knows the challenges of being a female small business owner.
Monique is a servant leader dedicated to community through service on various boards, involvement in business organizations, and commitment to non-profit endeavors. She currently serves as the Tacoma Public Utility Board Chair. Monique is an inaugural founding officer with the Washington Tourism Alliance and
“Monique Valenzuela, driven by her strong values, has real life experience and a wide-range of skills.”
helped advocate for the organization in the legislature, leading the successful effort to privately fund the state’s tourism industry. She is humbled to serve as the Honorary Commander of the Western Air Defense Sector for the Air National Guard at JBLM.
Over the years, Monique has won several awards including Class of 2010: 40 Under 40 Business Persons in the south sound community as recognized by the Business Examiner Publication. In 2013, Monique was awarded the Faces of Diversity: American Dream Award in Washington, D.C. from the National Restaurant Association. She uses these awards to bring attention to the fact that the restaurant industry does so much for their communities.