Her Story
About Valerie
Valerie Chavez, PMP, is an experienced IT Project Manager with 11 years of expertise in project management, team leadership, and organizational collaboration. Her professional approach is centered on people, empowering teams to make informed decisions, encouraging open communication, and creating a safe environment where individuals feel supported and valued. Valerie specializes in guiding teams through complex initiatives by monitoring progress, identifying and removing obstacles, ensuring team members have the resources they need, and fostering collaboration to keep projects aligned with organizational goals.
Throughout her career, Valerie has developed a strong background in project coordination, strategic project management, clinical informatics, operations, and team development. She currently serves in Information Technology Project Management at The University of New Mexico, following previous roles as a Project Manager at Nusenda Credit Union and Clinical Informatics Project Coordinator at Presbyterian Healthcare Services. Valerie holds an Associate’s Degree in Integrated Studies, certificates in General Business and Project Management, and her Project Management Professional (PMP) certification from the Project Management Institute. She is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree and remains actively involved with the PMI Rio Grande Chapter in New Mexico, continuing to expand her knowledge and leadership within the project management community.
Beyond her professional achievements, Valerie is deeply committed to community service and advocacy. Through her volunteer work with New Mexico Kids Matter, she helped transform a holiday celebration for children in foster care from a small church gathering into an event serving more than 1,000 attendees at the Albuquerque Convention Center. She has also served as a Court Appointed Special Advocate and foster parent, demonstrating her dedication to supporting children and families. Valerie attributes her success to the lessons learned through challenging experiences, which shaped her ability to make thoughtful decisions and consider the impact of her actions. She values integrity, authenticity, and creating safe spaces where others can thrive. Her advice to young women entering the industry is simple yet powerful: move forward even when it feels intimidating, and do it scared.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Valerie
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to the lessons I learned through challenging experiences during my teenage years, which helped shape my perspective, resilience, and decision-making skills. Those experiences taught me the importance of considering consequences, approaching challenges with thoughtfulness, and making choices aligned with my values. They have guided my personal and professional growth, allowing me to lead with empathy, accountability, and a commitment to continuous improvement.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I have ever received is to accept compliments with gratitude and simply say “thank you” rather than explaining, minimizing, or downplaying my achievements. Learning to recognize and appreciate my own accomplishments has helped me build confidence, embrace my contributions, and acknowledge the value I bring to my work and the teams I support.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering the industry is to do it scared and move forward despite the barriers or doubts they may encounter. Do not allow someone else’s limitations or opinions to define what you are capable of achieving. Pursue your goals because you believe in yourself, embrace opportunities for growth, and have the courage to take the steps necessary to build the career you want.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges and opportunities in my field right now is keeping pace with rapidly evolving technology, particularly advancements in artificial intelligence and frequent application updates that require teams to adapt and adjust processes. As technology continues to change, project managers must remain agile, embrace continuous learning, and help teams navigate transitions effectively. These changes also create opportunities to improve efficiency, enhance collaboration, and leverage new tools to deliver better outcomes for organizations and the people they serve.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that are most important to me in both my work and personal life are integrity, authenticity, and creating safe spaces where others feel respected, supported, and empowered. I believe in staying true to myself, maintaining honesty in my actions and decisions, and recognizing the importance of prioritizing my own well-being so I can effectively support those around me. By leading with empathy and respect, I strive to foster environments where people feel valued, heard, and encouraged to succeed.
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