Game-Changer: How a Passion for Gaming Led to Scaling Global Advocacy at YouTube
Elizabeth Del Valle ’11S (MS) has carved a remarkable path in the world of marketing and tech, currently serving as a Global Marketing Lead for YouTube Creator Marketing. Her work on behalf of creators across the platform earned her recognition as one of Ad Age’s Leading Women in 2023.
Originally from the Dominican Republic, Del Valle moved to the United States and embarked on a journey that began with English as a second language classes at the SUNY Rochester Educational Opportunity Center and culminated in an MS in Marketing from Simon Business School.
At Simon, Del Valle honed her analytical skills, setting the foundation for a career in marketing that has spanned major players in the tech and entertainment industries—from Sony PlayStation to Google and YouTube.
Early Life and Education
Moving to the United States in 2005 with her family, Del Valle faced the challenge of starting over in a new country. She had already begun her college education in the Dominican Republic, but the move to Rochester required her to rebuild her academic path from the ground up.
Del Valle enrolled in English as a Second Language (ESL) classes at the SUNY Rochester Educational Opportunity Center to overcome the language barrier and adapt to her new environment. She continued her studies at Monroe Community College through the 2+2 Transfer Pathway Guides program, which outlined a clear path for obtaining an associate degree and transferring to a four-year institution. Del Valle attended the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), earning a bachelor’s degree in international business and marketing, with a minor in international relations.
“Starting over in a new country and navigating different educational institutions was challenging, she said. “But each step along the way provided me with valuable experiences and opportunities to grow, ultimately leading me to Simon.”
The Simon ExperienceDel Valle said she chose Simon specifically for its robust focus on data-driven decision-making and experiential learning opportunities. She found the program’s emphasis on economics and analytical perspectives essential in preparing for the complexities of the corporate world. | 
“One of the most influential moments in my time at Simon, and maybe even in my life, was when I had the opportunity to go with an MBA student and participate in a case competition at Sony Electronics in San Diego,” she said. “It was like having a front-row seat view of what it’s like working at a tech company.”—Elizabeth Del Valle ’11S (MS) |
Del Valle also credits her professors, particularly Professor of Marketing Mitch Lovett, for significantly influencing her professional development. Lovett’s classes helped her learn how to prioritize insights and communicate them effectively, a skill that has become invaluable in her career. "It’s not just about the data; it’s about painting a picture and connecting everything with your strategies in a concise and relevant way to your audience," she said.
Career Evolution
Del Valle's ascent through the tech and entertainment industries began at Sony/PlayStation, where she contributed to the launch of the PlayStation 4 (PS4). This experience was an excellent entry point into consumer electronics and gaming, opening more doors within the tech industry.
At Google, Del Valle’s career scope expanded significantly. During her nearly decade-long tenure with the company, she managed a range of responsibilities, including leading marketing initiatives for Google Play products, and guiding partner product marketing within the Android ecosystem. The experiences at Google equipped her with a unique understanding of the tech landscape while she was able to hone her skills in strategic marketing.
In 2018, Del Valle joined YouTube to lead marketing for the gaming vertical. She spearheaded impactful initiatives such as the inaugural YouTube Gaming Creator Summit, which united top gaming creators from around the world and provided them with valuable opportunities for community building and product engagement.
As her role evolved, Del Valle's focus broadened to encompass all creators on the platform. She now leads efforts to develop and execute engaging marketing programs, events, and experiences that cater to the global creator community.
De Valle said her team is responsible for bringing the magic of YouTube to life through engaging experiential programs, such as the recently launched YouTube Creator Collective event series, and driving scaled engagements at major industry events like VidCon—an annual convention for influencers, fans, executives, and online brands in Anaheim, California.
“My work at YouTube is centered across the entire creator marketing funnel. Bringing the voices of our creators to everything we do at YouTube and strategizing to create exciting marketing programs that are impactful in attracting creators and keeping them engaged on the platform,” she said. “I am deeply committed to maintaining a healthy creator ecosystem. Ultimately, my ethos is to ensure that everything that I do contributes to the growth and the success of the entire creator economy—for YouTube, the creators themselves, and the industry as a whole.”
Del Valle attributes much of her strategic approach and success to the analytical skills she developed at Simon. “The lessons I learned at Simon taught me to always think about the 'why' behind every initiative,” she explained.
Become “Audience Obsessed”
In her current role as the Global Marketing Lead for YouTube Creator Marketing, Del Valle has become a strong advocate for what she calls "audience obsession." This approach, she explains, is central to successful global marketing.
"Whether you're a marketer, working in tech, or involved in the creator economy, understanding who your audience is and connecting with them emotionally is incredibly important," Del Valle emphasizes.
This focus on the audience isn't just about knowing who they are, but also about solving their challenges and addressing their needs in a meaningful way. “Audience obsession” has been crucial to her work at YouTube, where she must always ensure that marketing initiatives resonate deeply with creators and users across the globe.
Flexibility and continuous learning are other key aspects of Del Valle's approach, particularly in the face of rapid technological changes like those brought by AI.
"We’re in a world where everything's changing," she said. "You have to be open to learning new things as they emerge,” said Del Valle.
Life Outside of Work
Del Valle serves as a trustee on the board of the Rochester Museum of Science, where she leverages her marketing expertise to support community organizations. "Using my creative marketing skills to help other organizations grow is really important to me.”
She attributes her ability to maintain work-life balance to self-awareness, effective teamwork, and the strong support system she has built within her professional life.
"I’m lucky that I have a great team and a great manager," Del Valle said. "We collaborate closely, and having reliable agency partners and team members allows me to delegate effectively. Knowing how to delegate—to whom, when, and how—enables me to focus on what truly requires my attention." Del Valle also enjoys reading, cooking, and gardening. "Books can either help me with work or take me to another world," she said.
She also prioritizes family time, loves cooking, and enjoys the outdoors—particularly gardening in the summer months. And yes, she still finds time to play video games.
Friends and Future Aspirations
Throughout her career, Del Valle has maintained close ties with two Simon classmates in particular who have become lifelong friends. These relationships, forged during their time at Simon, continue to play a pivotal role in her life.
"I made friends at Simon who have been a strong support system, especially when I arrived in the Bay Area," Del Valle said. "They’ve made such a big impact on me, and we continue to stay close. It's so great to have people like them in my corner.”
As Del Valle looks ahead, she remains committed to both personal and professional growth. "The industry is changing rapidly, and so is the creative world and marketing," she said. "It's crucial for me to keep evolving so that my career continues progressing in the coming years."
However, her ambitions go beyond her own success. Del Valle is passionate about advocating for underrepresented voices in tech, particularly marketers from diverse backgrounds.
"I want to create more opportunities for people from different communities—whether through mentorship, expanding their networks, or simply opening doors for them. That's what truly drives me now and will continue to guide me in the future."