Our Founder

It all started when…

…Camelia (Cam) Valentine Braxton (she/her/hers) decided to #breakthewheel and put people at the forefront of human capital. Born and raised in Memphis, TN, Cam began her career as a journalist, reporting on entertainment and education in her hometown. After a stint writing for a national magazine in Los Angeles, she turned her focus to project management as a Project Coordinator for a large airport manufacturer. “My time in California was an eye-opener as I found myself in an industry and environment where no one else looked like me, shared my background or perspective.” Cam continued in project management while also working as the advertising director for a non-profit magazine. Her introduction to purpose-driven work lead her back home to Memphis and to education reform.

“My first role in ed equity was a true game changer for me. I learned how important it was to put the humanity back in human capital because people, not processes transform businesses.” Cam worked with TNTP and New Leaders during Memphis City's and Shelby County School’s historic merger, designing and implementing the district’s first teacher exit survey. During this time, she managed human capital programs for nearly 60 schools before joining New Leaders and directing recruitment and operations. In 2015 she relocated to Dallas, TX where she led talent acquisition and management for the largest charter network in North Texas before deciding to make a change. “Like so many of my friends and former colleagues, I would often leave huge pieces of myself in the elevator or the parking lot before heading into the office. After so many years, I was exhausted. I wanted to work with organizations that were committed to anti-racist practices but ill-equipped for the new, multi-cultural millennial workforce. That’s what led me to Heartwork.”

In addition to program management expertise, Cam has over a decade of experience in building diverse pipelines, helping design inclusive policies in education and non-profit spaces, and training leaders on how to cultivate workplaces that practice equity, justice, and respect. “Heartwork helps you walk the talk every day and works with professionals to find career opportunities that speak to who they are in an authentic way.”

Cam has a Master of Public Administration from Norwich University in Organizational Leadership and Emotional Intelligence and a BA in Communications from the University of Memphis. She is also certified in social media marketing and as a Human Capital Strategist by the Human Capital Institute. An avid sports fan (Go Grizz!) and regional director of the #Beyhive, she spends her free time working as a community activist, losing video games to her three children, and traveling with her husband.