Valerie N.

Valerie N.

5.0

Get unstuck! | Certified Coach | Lifelong Learner and Explorer

University of California, Santa Barbara Logo

Studied at University of California, Santa Barbara

Nilson HR Consulting & Coaching Logo

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 Life Qualifications

Coaches professionally

Experience level: Director

10+ people coached for Life

Life is full of opportunities, but navigating the path to success can feel overwhelming. That’s where I come in. As a Certified Professional Coach with over 20 years of leadership experience and more than that in life experience, I’ve dedicated myself to helping individuals unlock their potential and achieve their goals with clarity and confidence. I’ve faced challenges head-on and turned them into milestones—like buying my first home on my own at an early age, a testament to perseverance, determination, and strategic planning. I found fitness and healthy eating made me feel good, and as a result lost 3 sizes. My own journey inspires me to help others overcome obstacles and create a life they’re proud of. Whether you’re striving for personal growth, career transitions, or a more balanced and fulfilling life, I’m here to guide you every step of the way. Together, we’ll identify what truly matters to you, break through barriers, and create actionable plans to achieve your dreams. With a mix of empathy, insight, and a results-driven approach, I’ll help you embrace change, build confidence, and unlock the possibilities ahead. Let’s work together to transform your aspirations into reality. Your empowered, authentic life starts now.

Valerie can help with:

Goal Setting

Communication Skills

Personal Growth

Resilience

Mindfulness

Time Management

Work-Life Balance

Stress Management

Self-Reflection

Valerie also coaches for Career Development, Leadership Development, and Human Resources. 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

Nilson HR Consulting & Coaching Logo

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.

Voltera Logo

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

Anitian Logo

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

Rambus Logo

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

Citrix Logo

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

Nilson HR Consulting & Coaching Logo

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.

Cohu Logo

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 Logo

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.

1 Review

Overall Rating

5.0

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Valerie N.

Valerie N.

5.0

 
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