Valerie McCloud - Founder, Foxfire Consulting

Valerie McCloud is the founder of Foxfire Consulting and brings over 25 years of experience in both government and private sectors, helping organizations and leaders successfully navigate change. From small process improvements to large-scale, enterprise-wide transformations, she has guided organizations through complex transitions with a people-centered approach.

She has worked across hierarchical and matrixed organizations, engaging with individuals, teams, divisions, executive leadership, elected officials, and frontline employees—meeting people where they are to foster collaboration and trust. With her warm and engaging spirit, Valerie is a natural at building rapport, creating inclusive environments, and helping teams align toward shared goals. She has always been a champion of employee empowerment and was practicing human-centered change long before it became industry best practice.

Her private sector experience includes change management, project management (both Waterfall and Agile), organizational assessments, and leadership coaching. In the public sector, she has held roles in strategic planning, facilitation, legislative analysis, budget development, performance improvement, and organizational development, spanning executive, administrative, and legislative branches of government. She has also worked with non-profit organizations.

Valerie holds a Business Management degree with a minor in Spanish and is a certified Prosci® Change Practitioner. She is also certified with Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and Emotional Intelligence. She holds the  Project Management Professional (PMP) and Agile Certified Practitioner (ACP) designation. She is a JTM Certified Coach and has completed leadership programs including the Grace E. Harris Leadership Institute for Women, the MBE Executive Management Program, and the MBE Leadership Academy.

Personally speaking, Valerie is a certified yoga instructor and mindfulness practitioner, integrating resilience, stress management, and well-being into her own life and those around her. She is a life-long learner and soulful adventurer. A self-proclaimed consignment shopping boss!, she is also deeply involved in community initiatives that foster unity across diverse groups.