Her Story
About Valerie
I've been in my current field for 5 years, having transitioned from a 28-year career in advertising when COVID hit in 2020. During my time in advertising, I worked with the top brands and QSRs - quick-serve restaurants - including McDonald's, Pizza Hut, and other major names. I was part of the restaurant team in advertising, and when COVID came, those accounts closed down and there was a massive layoff. After COVID, I wanted to be more in a recession-proof field, which led me to technology. Technology changes all the time, we integrate with AI, and there's a big future out there for us. I now work for Quadient, which is actually the largest CRM and CXM (customer experience management) company in the world, so we've got a lot to grow on. My main area of expertise is business process workflows and automation. I'm responsible for prospecting, taking care of thousands of clients within my territory, and bringing in new clients. I analyze what current workflows look like and try to optimize them with efficiencies or labor reductions through technology, hardware, and software. My most notable professional achievement is probably Champions Club within my current organization. We have two different clubs, and Champions is for the global folks. Only 10 representatives for the U.S. were invited to go to Portugal, which was great because I got to meet the other top performers in other countries and collaborate, learning about the differences between us and the similarities.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Valerie
01What do you attribute your success to?
I think perseverance is key to my success. No means not right now - that's how I approach challenges. I also like the phrase 'don't be afraid to fail' because fail means first attempt in learning. That mindset has really helped me throughout my career, understanding that setbacks are just opportunities to learn and grow.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I've ever received is just really be genuine. Listen to what their needs are. Don't go in with your specific agenda. This approach has guided me throughout my career - focusing on the client's needs rather than pushing my own agenda has been fundamental to building authentic relationships and achieving success.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Well, it is a lot of a man's industry, but my advice is, you know, just, again, work hard, be yourself, listen to your clients, and do the right thing. Even though you're entering a male-dominated field, staying true to yourself and maintaining your integrity while focusing on your clients' needs will serve you well.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenges would be our equipment - the hardware is built in the UK, so we've had to encounter some tariffs. And budgets have been set, so our clients have a set budget, so it's a matter of trying to alter either the solution or find different avenues for their budget to increase. These tariff and budget constraints require creative problem-solving to deliver the right solutions to our clients.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Integrity is the most important value to me in both my work and personal life.
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