Story Feature: Valerie
Quote:
"If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude." - Valerie’s personal adaptation of a quote from Maya Angelou
Valerie put a unique spin on this sentiment, stating, "If you don't like something, what are you doing about it?" For Valerie, this means refusing to merely complain or feel defeated by a situation. Instead, it’s about taking proactive steps to initiate change. "I'm never going to accept my situation as impossible or let society dictate what I should 'accept.' I will challenge, question, or pave a new path, but what I won't do is follow the status quo or rely on opinion-based data," Valerie asserted. This spin on Maya's Quote is meant to reflect a determination to break free from conventional constraints and forge a new path based on personal conviction and proactive change.
Highlights from Valerie’s story:
Raised by a single father who worked in construction, Valerie developed a passion for the industry early on. Despite initially struggling to find a job as a construction laborer, Valerie pursued higher education, earning a degree in Construction Engineering and an MBA in Project Management/Data Analytics. Over a career spanning more than 20 years, Valerie has specialized in the High-tech Market, working on data centers and semiconductor plants, as well as corporate high-rise buildings, labs, and healthcare facilities.
Throughout her distinguished career, Valerie has been involved in all phases of the construction process, from site acquisition and preconstruction to construction management and project turnover. Valerie has worked across the AMERS Region and Globally, representing both General Contractors and Owners. Recently, Valerie founded a consulting firm focused on Project Controls, which is recognized as a Certified Women-Owned Small Business.
As an advocate for women in trades, construction and STEM fields, Valerie authored a children's book, "That Construction Worker is My Mom," to inspire young girls to consider careers in construction and STEM. Additionally, Valerie actively engages with school children to challenge societal norms and encourage girls to pursue any career they desire. On a personal front, Valerie has successfully raised strong, independent daughters, instilling in them the determination to overcome gender-based barriers.
Next Achievement in Progress:
Valerie is in progress of launching her own project controls consulting firm, Valerie is committed to transforming how owners are represented in the construction industry. Guided by the core value of "doing the right thing always," her firm integrates data-driven and AI approaches and champions a fully diverse team. Her goal is to enhance how we represent the future of construction by introducing innovative ideas and helping owners adopt cutting-edge methods such as off-site manufacturing, modularization, and prefabrication. Valerie shares, “The industry can no longer operate as it did in the past; we must embrace automation wherever possible.”
Read more at: www.valconsultants.com