Valerie is a purpose-driven Human Resources professional who derives the greatest satisfaction when her work directly enhances the employee experience. With a career that began at an insurance carrier, she quickly became immersed in the complexities of employee benefits. First-hand exposure to the rising costs and increasing complexity of medical coverage sparked her deep interest in transforming how healthcare is delivered and funded within organizations.

Eight years ago, Valerie and her employer took a bold step by adopting Reference Based Pricing (RBP) / Open Access — an innovative, transparent healthcare model. With a strong foundation in Lean Sigma and Continuous Improvement, she led the organization through a challenging but ultimately transformative journey. As the plan’s process owner, Valerie collaborated closely with senior leadership to build a sustainable healthcare ecosystem tailored to the needs of both the organization and its employees.

The results were remarkable: nine years with no increases to deductibles, out-of-pocket costs, or coinsurance; eight years with no increase in employee contributions; and substantial savings to the company's operating budget. These achievements earned the organization the prestigious Health Rosetta Rosie Award for its forward-thinking approach to healthcare.

Valerie is passionate about empowering other employers with the knowledge and tools to reshape their health plans. She has shared her experience at the You Powered Symposium and even participated in legislative advocacy, joining Grammy-winning artist Fat Joe on a Fly-In Day to the U.S. Capitol to lobby for fair and transparent healthcare pricing.

Valerie continues to champion sustainable, employee-centered benefits solutions that align with both business objectives and employee wellbeing.