After graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in accounting and obtaining a master’s degree in taxation, Valerie subsequently earned her CPA designation and was recruited by Deloitte & Touche LLC. She later became controller of a small closely-held company for several years, until needing to take time off from her professional life to care for her daughter’s life-threatening health issue, which required a bone marrow transplant and extended hospitalization.

After her daughter's successful recovery, along with their family’s eventual return to a normal life, Valerie accepted the opportunity to become a wealth planning associate for RBC Wealth Management’s East Division and immediately fell in love with the calling. Her ability to understand and care about clients’ needs is a perfect fit with her own life experience and expertise in both the tax and wealth planning arenas.

She firmly believes clients’ interests always come first and she is passionate about taking the time to fully understand their situation. Subsequently, she can research available options and provide recommendations based on their unique needs.

When not working, Valerie devotes time to her family along with various charities, including Gift of Life Charity—an organization that helps match patients in need of bone marrow transplants with suitable donors—and the Ronald McDonald House which also provided much needed assistance to her family.

She is a Florida native and currently resides in Fort Lauderdale with her husband, Scott, and their three beautiful children, plus two awesome mini labradoodles.