Valyncia Saunders

About Valyncia Saunders

I’m a business-minded legal leader who loves solving complex problems, navigating regulated environments, and helping companies move faster with confidence. I’ve spent my career at the intersection of law, strategy, compliance, and brand protection—supporting global consumer businesses through growth, transformation and the occasional crisis.Today, I serve as Division General Counsel at Nestlé USA, where I partner with the division presidents, the CEO (U.S. and Zone), CLO (U.S, Zone and Global) and other senior leaders on everything from regulatory strategy and compliance, to marketing, labor & employment, litigation and enterprise risk. I lead legal strategy for multiple business units across the U.S, Canada, and part of LATAM, manage our privacy and data security program, and work closely with teams in Europe on cross border issues. I’m known for rolling up my sleeves and driving efficiency and impact—reducing legal spend, modernizing how legal works with the business, and building business acumen training that helps lawyers think like operators.Before Nestlé, I held senior roles at Altria, advising on corporate governance, digital marketing, global compliance and M&A. I led teams focused on anti-bribery/anti-corruption, import/export and sanctions compliance, as well as supply chain integrity. I also managed high-stakes FDA regulatory projects and handled SEC filings. Earlier in my career, I was a partner and AmLaw 100 litigator, protecting the trademarks and other IP of major consumer companies.Across every role, I bring clear judgment, calm leadership, and a collaborative style that builds trust at the highest levels. I’ve supported governance for a publicly disclosed international investment and currently serve as Board Vice President for a youth-focused nonprofit after having served as its Corporate Secretary.I’m passionate about helping organizations grow responsibly, strengthen governance, and build cultures rooted in ethics, inclusion and performance. I thrive as a strategic partner to CEOs, boards, and cross-functional leaders—and I love working with teams that are building what’s next.When not serving as a business enabler, I enjoy traveling to French-speaking countries to practice my French, and to other destinations to learn about the culture through music, food and of course, the people. A former athlete (Division I soccer), I also enjoy practicing my golf swing, Pilates, yoga and walking in nature.

Experience

1. Division General Counsel

   Nestlé

   Mar 2022 — Present

Education

• USC Gould School of Law

  JD, Law

  2000 — 2003

• Holy Names Academy

  High School Diploma

  1991 — 1995

• Howard University

  BA, Journalism

  1995 — 1999