Born in New York, and raised in the Washington DC area, Valerie headed north to Boston University for her bachelor’s degree in film, and then west to Los Angeles, where she earned an associate degree in theater at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. Her path to becoming a filmmaker began with her learning as many aspects of the craft as she could. Before stepping up to directing, she had honed her skills in everything from production managing to costume designing to acting.
“The consummate director,” says Valerie, “is one who can walk in the shoes of all the members of her team.” Valerie, who has spent years building her career in television and film, is a recent graduate of the Netflix Series Director Development Program and a proud member of the Directors Guild of America.