My academic journey began with earning a B.A. in Philosophy and Psychology from Illinois Wesleyan University. After spending a number of years in corporate, I earned my M.A. in Industrial and Organizational Psychology from The Chicago School. From here, I began my I/O consulting career, leveraging and building upon both academic and professional experiences to advise clients on designing job relevant and legally defensible selection systems in addition to providing strategic guidance on talent management systems spanning the breadth of the employee life cycle for Fortune 100 companies. I enjoyed the opportunity to build expertise in a breadth of practice areas including leadership and executive assessment, hi-potential identification and career pathing, performance management for individuals and teams, competency modeling, and more. In addition to academic pursuits, I’m a certified yoga teacher and incorporate elements of mindfulness, grace, respect, boundaries, inclusiveness, self-awareness, and safety throughout my coaching practice.
Testimonials
What clients have said about working with me:
“Valerie provided OUTSTANDING counsel to me during a period of unexpected and difficult career transition. I couldn’t be more grateful to her for all of her support and guidance. She moved me from devastated to confident, bolstering my belief in myself and my instincts and abilities. The support she provided was essential to me achieving my next career chapter. Highly, HIGHLY recommend Valerie and will always be grateful to her.”
~Chris, former client
“I had the pleasure of working with Valerie during an unexpected period of unemployment. What could have been a stressful and overwhelming time was made far more manageable thanks to her guidance, support, and positive energy. Valerie helped me approach my job search with clarity and confidence, offering thoughtful and constructive feedback on both my resume and LinkedIn profile. What stood out most was her ability to be both honest and encouraging—she didn’t shy away from giving me the insights I needed to improve, but she always did so with warmth and empathy. Working with her not only strengthened my job materials but also helped me feel more empowered as a candidate. I’m incredibly grateful for her expertise and genuine care, and I would highly recommend her to anyone navigating a career transition.”
~Aubrey, former client
“As a career coach Valerie supported me during a challenging career transition. In addition to providing me with needed resources to succeed in my job search efforts (i.e., resume writing tips, interview preparation techniques, and networking opportunities); she truly listened and understood my concerns, goals, and ambitions in order to create a safe environment for effective collaboration. By understanding my skills, interests, experiences, and strengths, she provided an insightful assessment that encouraged me to develop an effective strategic plan, and keep me motivated towards achieving my objectives. Valerie’s expertise and genuine empathy for my situation helped me make informed decisions about my future that truly made a difference in my professional journey.”
~Lisa, former client
“Valerie is someone you want to have in your corner as you transition, or are looking to transition. She was invaluable in helping me articulate my experiences and skills, had tremendous insights on the digital process and approaches on how to break through and provided guidance throughout each step. She was a voice when I needed a sounding block on prep, follow up, and decision making on opportunities. We all want to feel as though “we’ve got this”, but I’m here to tell you that having an experienced and seasoned expert in this space in your corner makes a huge difference.”
~Kristen, former client
“I connected with Valerie during a period of professional transition, and from our first conversation there was an immediate sense of trust and connection. Valerie brings a calming, grounded presence and is incredibly thoughtful and intentional in her approach. She is an exceptional listener who asks insightful, thought-provoking questions that help uncover the root of what truly needs attention. She offers practical coaching perspectives, meaningful solutions, and curated resources that genuinely support growth and clarity. Valerie has a rare ability to balance the roles of coach and therapist, which is invaluable during times of transition when both guidance and emotional support are needed. I would highly recommend Valerie to anyone navigating change who is looking for clarity, growth, and grounded support.”
~Geri, former client
