Summer Barrick Valente graduated from Brigham Young University with a bachelor of arts in humanities, with an emphasis in philosophy. During her undergraduate studies she spent some significant time in Brazil which sparked her passion for community development, civic engagement, and the nonprofit sector. Summer then earned a master's degree in public administration from the Romney Institute of Public Management at BYU. During her graduate studies she spent time abroad in Ghana and Mozambique, focusing on international development and research.

After graduation, Summer started her nonprofit career at United Way of Utah County. She began as a Business Relations Manager, managing 80 corporate relationships and workplace giving campaigns, as well as participating in various other fundraising projects. She then became the Community Engagement Director, directing both the Volunteer Center and 2-1-1 Information and Referral line. Summer's final position at United Way of Utah County was Chief Operating Officer, working closely with the CEO as she led department team leaders in the development of new strategies, initiatives, and organizational capacity.

Most recently, Summer served as the director of the Center for Social Impact at Utah Valley University for 10 years, leading a major strategic shift, a complete center renovation, and the development of a powerful social impact education framework. The CSI won a Gold NAPSA Excellence Award in 2022.

Summer is now a Professional in Residence in the Organizational Leadership Department in the UVU Woodbury School of Business. She teaches for the Hospitality Management program and other management courses.