Valerie N.
5.0
Helping Leaders Grow, Overcome Challenges, and Lead with Confidence
Studied at University of California, Santa Barbara
Works at Nilson HR Consulting & Coaching
Hiring Manager
Available Monday at 4:30 PM UTC
Questions? Start chatting with this coach before you get started.
Valerie’s Leadership Development Qualifications
Coaches professionally
Experience level: Vice President
10+ people coached for Leadership Development
Welcome to my profile! With over 20 years of experience in human resources, coaching leaders across startups and mature organizations, I bring a deep understanding of leadership dynamics and team development. My career has been dedicated to empowering leaders to unlock their potential, navigate complex challenges, and drive meaningful impact. As a Certified Professional Coach, I combine strategic insight with a compassionate approach to support leaders in achieving their goals, whether it’s refining communication, enhancing decision-making, or fostering resilience. My experience working with executives and emerging leaders has honed my ability to tailor coaching strategies to individual needs, ensuring actionable outcomes and sustainable growth. As a connector of people and ideas, I specialize in helping leaders develop clarity, confidence, and purpose. My coaching is rooted in real-world experience, having partnered with leaders to build high-performing teams, manage organizational change, and cultivate inclusive cultures. I’m passionate about fostering self-awareness and empowering clients to lead with authenticity and impact. Whether you're looking to step into a new leadership role, navigate career transitions, or elevate your leadership presence, I am here to guide you every step of the way.
Valerie can help with:
Conflict Resolution
Change Management
Ethical Leadership
Diversity and Inclusion
Problem Solving
Emotional Intelligence
Coaching and Mentoring
Time Management
Valerie also coaches for Career Development, Human Resources, and Life. View all.
About Valerie
Hello! I am Valerie, a Certified Professional Coach. My passion lies in helping people uncover their potential, navigate life’s challenges, and achieve their goals with clarity and confidence. As an HR leader with over 20 years’ experience in high-tech human resources, I bring a wealth of expertise in active listening, emotional intelligence, and goal setting. I’ve spent my career supporting individuals through transitions, resolving complex conflicts, and fostering growth. Now, I channel these skills into coaching to guide my clients in creating actionable strategies for success and fulfillment. Beyond coaching, I am an avid traveler who has visited 16 countries, enriching my perspective and cultural understanding. I enjoy scuba diving, playing pickleball, and exploring local wineries, blending adventure, fitness, and community into my life. I grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area of California, and feel fortunate to have this as my hub from which to explore! My coaching approach combines empathy, strategic insight, and a results-driven mindset to ensure each coaching session is impactful and transformative. Together, we will uncover what’s holding you back, explore new possibilities, and create a path forward that feels authentic and achievable. I specialize in: - Career Transitions: Whether you’re changing career paths or advancing in your current career, I help you design a future and that aligns with your values and aspirations. - Personal Growth: Overcome obstacles, gain self-awareness, and embrace your full potential with tailored guidance and support. - Work-Life Harmony: Find balance and clarity to thrive both at work and in life. - Wellness: Develop sustainable habits for physical and mental well-being, empowering you to achieve your health goals and live a vibrant, balanced life. Ready to take the next step? Let’s work together to uncover what’s possible and create the life you want!
Why do I coach?
I’ve always been drawn to supporting others in navigating challenges and reaching their potential. Over time, I realized that the most rewarding moments in my career were those where I could make a direct, personal impact—whether it was helping someone achieve a breakthrough, gain clarity during a transition, or build the confidence to pursue their goals. I also know how difficult it can be to identify what you want or how to get there. I have found that working with a coach helped me gain clarity, provided support as well as a sounding board, and resulted in my uncovering my "next steps." Becoming a coach felt like a natural next step. It allows me to combine my professional expertise with my deep desire to connect with people on a meaningful level, helping them transform their lives with purpose and intention.
Work Experience
Consultant & Coach
Nilson HR Consulting & Coaching
February 2024 - Present
I’m passionate about creating inclusive, people-first workplaces. From startups to established companies, I help organizations build people strategies that foster engagement, leadership, and purpose. As a Certified Professional Coach, I empower leaders—especially emerging ones—to develop their unique strengths and create impact. Whether you’re looking to enhance culture, streamline HR operations, or drive team performance, let’s connect and build the future of work together.
Vice President, People
Voltera
2022 - 2023
Hiring Manager
Established and scaled the people operations function for this start-up EV charging company. Grew headcount from 22 to 70 employees in a highly competitive market. Built performance management program aligning company, team and individual OKRs to bonus program. Drove employee engagement initiatives to improve employee satisfaction. Created market competitive compensation ranges by function & geography, profit incentive equity guidelines, and established benefits to support employee wellness. Ensured HR legal compliance as we expanded our US footprint, including policies & procedures, employee handbook and training. Prepared and presented Board materials to move initiatives forward. Compensation & Benefit, Leadership Accountability and +11 skills
Head of People
Anitian
2020 - 2022
Hiring Manager
Lead the People strategy for this cloud application security and compliance automation company through a change in business model, series B round funding and accelerated growth. We built a high-performance culture with cornerstones of authenticity, collaboration and results. Compensation & Benefit, Leadership Accountability and +22 skills
Sr. Manager, HR Business Partner
Rambus
2018 - 2020
Delivered strategic human resources leadership and support to global business units, engineering and sales organizations. Served as trusted advisor to senior leaders and motivating coach to managers. Managed acquisitions, integrations and organizational restructuring. - Aligned pay with performance by executing robust performance management, coaching, compensation and equity planning. - HR lead on company acquisitions and integration of employees. Performance Metrics, Data-driven Decision Making and +19 skills
Sr. Manager, HR Business Partner
Citrix
2011 - 2017
Global HR Business Leader for Marketing, GTM, CTO & Start-up Accelerator, and virtual desktop business unit. Partnered with leadership to create and deliver talent management initiatives including leadership coaching & development, workforce planning, M&A, org design and succession planning. Ensured compliance with local employment laws and required regulations on a global scale. - HR lead for acquisitions and divestitures, supporting product expansion and global footprint. - Launched Workday HCM, improved performance review process, and instituted a new college onboarding program. - Core team member of our Women's employee resource group.. Performance Metrics, Data-driven Decision Making and +18 skills
Principal
Nilson HR Consulting & Coaching
2009 - 2011
Delivered HR consulting services for small to mid-sized companies in the private and public sectors. – Executed HRIS implementation project, including developing user guides and delivering training. – Generated 10% net savings by auditing health & wellness benefits coverage, costs, and eligibility.
HR Operations Manager
Cohu
2006 - 2008
– Provided human resources oversight, guidance, and support to six business units for a global organization with a presence in the U.S., U.K. France, Germany, and Costa Rica. Played a key role as the company prepared for future acquisition. Managed workforce planning and rightsizing initiatives affecting 70% of employees. – Slashed fixed costs 20%, while ensuring continuous high-touch customer support by advising on workforce planning and skills assessments regarding outsourcing first-line customer service functions. – Improved performance management process by leading the launch of a new online software tool.
Education
University of California, Santa Barbara
Bachelor's Degree, Sociology
I've always had a love for the ocean, and going to university in Santa Barbara, California, was a great experience. While there I made amazing connections, worked part-time, and found my career.
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