Helping Mission-Driven Leaders and Teams Find Clarity and Courage in Disruptive Times

Hi, I’m Valerie

I’m a movement strategist, facilitator, and trainer with 15+ years driving bold campaigns for climate, justice, and systemic change. Most recently, I served as Organizing Director at Greenpeace USA, where I built national volunteer programs, worked closely with Jane Fonda on Fire Drill Fridays, and produced trainings with leaders like Stacey Abrams and Marshall Ganz — training thousands of activists and reaching over 5 million voters.

I know the pressures mission-driven leaders and teams face: navigating complex change, aligning people around bold ideas, and keeping energy alive in the face of resistance, disruption, and burnout.

That’s why I started Groundswell Lab — to bring strategic clarity and human-centered facilitation to teams that want to move forward with confidence. I love creating spaces where people can build trust, surface tensions, make wise decisions, and leave with the focus and courage to take their next steps.

A smiling woman with glasses and hoop earrings outdoors, with a blurred background of yellow and green foliage.

Trusted by Movement Leaders

  • Aligning Teams

    Valerie is an incredible asset to any team. She's strategic, organized, and thoughtful. Her commitment to consultation and data-based decision making is second to none. Valeries ability to engage differing viewpoints using tools like ORID and MOCHA have moved teams quickly from disagreement into understanding and alignment.

    - Jenna DiPaolo Colley
    Chief Brand and Communications Offer, Ocean Conservancy

  • Strategic Clarity with Heart

    Valerie brings a rare combination of strategic clarity, deep emotional intelligence, and heartfelt presence that has made me not only a more effective organizer, but a more grounded and compassionate leader. She is a highly skilled coach and facilitator who knows how to help individuals and teams tap into their purpose, align their values with their actions, and move forward with confidence and care. If you’re looking to create a more connected, impactful, and visionary team, I highly recommend weaving Valerie’s wisdom and expertise into your work.

    — Heidi Harmon
    Former Mayor, San Luis Obispo

  • Transforming Vision to Action

    Valerie is a fantastic manager, a strategic thinker, and pays great attention to detail. She’s patient but firm, and has an extraordinary ability to transform a vision into a detailed action plan.

    -Jose Diaz-Martinez,
    VP of Leadership Networks, Run for Something

What I Offer

Facilitation and Strategy Facilitation and Strategy

Facilitation & Strategy

When the path ahead feels murky, you don’t need another static plan — you need a process that brings people together and unlocks clarity, collaboration, and courage.

I design and facilitate strategy sessions, retreats, and decision sprints that surface tensions, align teams, and turn conversations into clear decisions and next steps. My approach blends structure and humanity, so your team can move forward with confidence in complex times.

Coaching Coaching

Coaching & Leadership Support

In times of disruption, leaders need grounded support to navigate complexity with clarity and care. Coaching can be the anchor that keeps you values-driven, resilient, and effective.

I offer 1:1 and small-group coaching for movement leaders, helping you tackle real-time challenges — from power dynamics to strategy pivots — while staying connected to your purpose. Together, we build your capacity to adapt, lead, and thrive.

Designing Change & Innovation Designing Change & Innovation

Designing Change & Innovation

Are you ready to try something bold — but unsure how to get it off the ground?

I help mission-driven organizations design and lead high-impact projects that shift culture, build power, and unlock new potential. From testing a campaign pivot to reimagining volunteer infrastructure, I partner with you from idea to execution — clarifying purpose, aligning your team, navigating resistance, and making sure change sticks.