Valerie holds the position of District Field Officer with IYF's Pathways program. In this role, she leads economic training and coaching of caregivers and adolescents to improve their household incomes and reduce vulnerability. Prior to joining IYF, Valerie held positions in the areas of youth and community empowerment, advocacy, youth-led research for social accountability, sexual reproductive health and rights, and leadership and resilience building. During her time with Restless Development--where she played a variety of roles--she came to understand the dynamics of working within both rural and urban contexts as well as with different groups of people including the elderly, orphans and vulnerable children, and young people living with disabilities.