Valerie Hausladen is a nationally-recognized author, speaker and coach who helps people realize—and live—their full personal and professional potential. Her first book, Professional Destiny—Discover the Career You Were Born For, was nominated for the 2009 ForeWord Book of the Year Award and launched her as a bestselling author.

Before starting her own company, Edge Leadership Group headquartered in Austin, Texas, Valerie served as President and Managing Director for two international advertising agencies and as marketing executive for a global Fortune 100 company.

Valerie’s interactions with a vast range of professionals made the Stanford University graduate curious about those who were motivated and uniquely energized by their work. After years of first-hand observation, she wrote Professional Destiny, as an inspirational but practical guide to help others “discover the career they were born for.”

Currently, after experiencing a major personal setback and realizing the wisdom in the words “what doesn’t kill you only makes you stronger,” Valerie is finishing her next book, The Whammy: How to Thrive After the Disaster You Never Saw Coming. Her goal is to continue to inspire and empower people to find a deeper level of meaning and satisfaction in their lives.   

Valerie has served on the Board of Directors for the Miracle Foundation, American Red Cross and the marketing committee for the People’s Community Clinic.  She has two Stanford-educated daughters, Stephanie and Allie, who are actively pursuing their own dreams.