Valerie McCloud - Founder, Foxfire Consulting

A Different Kind of Change Partner

What makes Foxfire different isn't just what we do — it's how we think about change.

I believe that effective change requires both disciplined strategy and genuine human care. That you can't separate the organizational work from the human experience. That resistance isn't a problem to be managed — it's information to be understood. That employees don't need to be convinced to change; they need to be supported through it.

This philosophy shapes the Foxfire approach at every level — from how we structure a change assessment to how we facilitate a workshop to how we design tools that help employees find their footing during uncertain times.

I also believe that the consultant's job is to create the conditions where clarity, alignment, and forward movement become possible. That's the role I show up to play in every engagement.

Why I Do This Work

I’ve always believed that people are at the heart of every change — every new system, every shifting priority, every big idea. Over the years, I’ve watched organizations pour millions into strategy and technology, only to overlook the one thing that determines whether the change succeeds: the humans carrying the weight of it.

My work is about honoring that human experience.

It’s about creating space for people to breathe, to ask questions, to feel supported, and to find their footing when the ground is shifting beneath them. It’s about helping leaders lead with compassion and clarity. And it’s about reminding teams that resilience isn’t just a buzzword — it’s a skill, a practice, and a lifeline.

I do this work because I believe in people.

In their capacity to grow.

In their ability to rise.

And in their power to transform not only their organizations, but themselves.

If we can learn to move through change with more support and less overwhelm, with more presence and less pressure, then we don’t just build better workplaces — we build better lives.

That’s what drives me.

That’s what Foxfire is all about.

But what truly shapes my approach is who I am beyond my professional titles. I’m a certified yoga instructor (RYT200), a lifelong mindfulness practitioner, and someone who believes deeply in the power of everyday resilience. Over the years, I’ve come to see that real transformation rarely comes from strategy alone. It comes when people reconnect with their calm, their clarity, and the quiet inner steadiness that allows them to move through uncertainty with courage and resolve.

That perspective naturally finds its way into my work. I blend evidence-based practices with soulful wisdom, creating spaces where people can pause, reflect, and reconnect with what matters most — especially during times of change.

At heart, I’m a lifelong learner, a spiritual explorer, and a joyful adventurer. I find beauty in community, good conversation, and purpose-driven work. And when I’m not coaching leaders or facilitating transformation, you might find me hunting for hidden treasures in a consignment shop, laughing with friends, practicing yoga, or dreaming up new ways to bring people together.