Valerie is originally from Bethesda, Maryland but has lived in Washington D.C. for the past two and a half years. In 2006, she graduated from McGill University where she majored in English and Psychology. In 2008, she earned her Master of Science from King’s College London in Philosophy of Mental Disorders. After completing her studies, Valerie worked as a research analyst for Adjuvant Global Advisors, a commercial strategy and business development consulting firm focused on biotech, pharmaceutical and medical device markets. During that time, she volunteered at her local crisis center, providing telephone support and suicide intervention to persons experiencing acute psychiatric crises. More recently, Valerie worked as a mental health counselor at Fellowship Health Resources, a nonprofit behavioral healthcare agency that provides clinical, community, and supportive services to individuals with mental illness. Valerie enjoys globetrotting, frolicking outside, reading, writing, theater, and dissecting the human psyche. She is very excited to join the GHC community, gain experience in global health, and embark on new adventures in Malawi.