Valerie got her start in the construction industry over 20 years ago, drafting for a homebuilder in Calgary. She continued drafting & design in various areas of building construction, such as prefab wall shops, tenant improvements, and a millwork shop, then detoured into providing part-time drafting support for the design of water treatment plants, a methane mitigation facility, concrete formwork, and carbon capture technology. She circled back to house design in 2021 when she designed her own Passive House (completed in 2023). That design-build process included extending her education through training with Passive House Canada, Canada Green Building Council, and inspired her to join ZEIC to focus on working in the sustainable building sector.

Outside of work, Valerie enjoys folk music and dance, and a variety of volunteer activities.