Speaker Profile

Valerie is an innovative sports and entertainment industry leader who specializes in unlocking growth for sports properties, amusement parks, and real estate development projects. She has successfully evaluated team business operations within the NBA, MLB, NHL, and NCAA and implemented strategic and operational changes to turnaround underperforming properties. For 15 years, she has been a trusted partner and advisor to team owners and senior league executives and maintains a deep understanding of team economics across multiple leagues.

Valerie led business and venue operations for the Philadelphia Flyers and Washington Nationals—including the $400M transformation of the Wells Fargo Center, a comprehensive redesign of the arena focused on elevating the guest experience, creating new sources of revenue, and operating efficiently and sustainably. While at the NBA, she created the first data and analytics department to assist teams in capturing and leveraging fan data to enhance the guest experience and drive commercial growth. She began her career in management consulting, where she spent 15 years advising business and government leaders for Booz Allen Hamilton and PwC.

Valerie is on the Board of Directors for America’s largest family-owned attractions corporation, Herschend Family Entertainment. Herschend owns and operates amusement parks, dinner and live shows, attractions, and resorts in 26 states. She is also a member of the Board of Trustees for the University of Virginia Athletics Foundation and the National Mall in Washington DC.