The Strengths-Based Leadership session exceeded my expectations and I would highly, highly recommend to others considering a deeper dive into the dynamics of their team’s strengths!

- Kelly Bonnell

ELEVATE Executive Coaching

In the dynamic landscape of business in 2024, the commitment to develop your leaders stands as a crucial and non-negotiable aspect of any successful business strategy. As organizations navigate through unprecedented challenges and opportunities, fostering a culture that prioritizes leadership development is not just a good practice – it’s a strategic imperative.

When an engaged manager shows up equipped with the skills, mindset, and commitment to excellence their impact ripples throughout the organization positively impacting collaboration, innovation, retention, engagement, culture, and so much more! The result is a positive and high-performing workplace equipped to meet the organization’s strategic goals!

EMPOWER High-Performing Team Development

EMPOWER your team with the skills, knowledge, and resources they need to excel and achieve extraordinary results. By investing in high-performing team training and development, you’ll boost productivity, enhance innovation, and drive sustainable growth for your organization.

Don’t wait for success to come knocking – take action and EMPOWER your team to reach new heights of performance and success.

ENGAGE Employee Engagement Consulting

In today's dynamic work environment, effective leadership is not just about managing tasks; it's about fostering a culture where employees feel valued, motivated, and engaged. Employee engagement is a vital component of organizational success, directly impacting productivity, retention, and overall performance. StrengthsBuilders has the expertise to help your organization navigate the process with ease while not adding additional resources.

What our clients say about us...

Working with Valerie was an absolute pleasure. She taught a strengths-based leadership seminar for the National Multiple Sclerosis Cincinnati’s 2017 Leadership Class. Valerie hosted 2 seminars where they learned more about their top 5 strengths and how to focus on developing them in order to be strong leaders. The class members all left feeling clearly energized and excited. I noticed after the class that their fundraising went up again. I think understanding what made them better leaders helped them push themselves towards their fundraising goal. We would happily work with Valerie again for our next Leadership Class (Challenge). I highly recommend her for your business.
Julia Burks
Assistant Director at Parkinson Support and Wellness, Inc.
Valerie took the time to meet with me to discuss numerous ways that I can incorporate my Strengths not only into my resume, linked-in and job interviews, however, also into my daily life. Prior to our meeting, I wouldn’t have understood how my Top 5 Strengths could also lead to weaknesses within my life. Valerie was open to share strengths of her own and included examples of how they've caused weaknesses in moments of her life. Her openness to share her experiences and professional knowledge of her own strengths, has motivated me to become more aware and live out my unique strengths in all aspects of my life.

I truly believe that the information Valerie shared with me will be life changing in the long run. I highly recommend Valerie to any company or individual who is striving to discover and use their unique strengths. Valerie will guide and motivate you to use your strengths the right way and it may just change the way you live, for the better. Thank you Valerie for your time and professional guidance!!!
Matthew Shannon
Media Account Associate at 84.51˚ - Kroger Precision Marketing
I had the pleasure of learning about my strengths with the help of Valerie Plis through WE Lead. I would recommend Valerie to those who want to better understand individual talents and strengths and how best to leverage them as a team. One of Valerie’s many strengths is her wonderful presentation presence! She is an amazing facilitator who encourages dialogue, provides helpful hints, and has some fun along the way. I feel fortunate to have had two sessions with her!
Stephanie McCall
Director of Marketing at Dewey's Pizza
Valerie first "wow-ed" when she presented StrengthsFinder to my WE Lead class. I was so impressed that I hired Valerie to conduct a strengths-based workshop for my company's Leadership Team. I can't say enough great things. The session exceeded my expectations and highly, highly recommend her to others considering taking a deeper dive into the dynamics of their team's strengths. She is incredibly knowledgeable and an enthusiastic presenter who has the ability to change the minds of any skeptics in the room!
Kelly Bonnell
Chief Operations Officer at Constellation Wealth Advisors
I had the great fortune to explore my Strengths with Valerie during two full day sessions as part of my WE Lead Class 10 program. This was such an amazing part of my entire year in WE Lead and learning from Valerie not only what my strengths are, but how to apply them (and how not to) was life-changing for me. I spent this past year re-evaluating how I operate and interact with all kinds of people - colleagues, staff, alumni, friends and even family members and learned how to communicate my messages and my needs through the lens of strengths. Equally important, I learned that I need to be attuned to others' strengths so that I can leverage them and communicate with them more effectively. Thanks Valerie. You're a rock star!
Marihelen Millar
Assistant Dean, University of Cincinnati
My company hired Valerie for a StrengthsBuilder session for our team. Everyone found it so insightful and so powerful! I am confident that we will use our new knowledge to take our effectiveness and productivity to new heights! She really helped us see our team in new ways. Highly recommend!
Julie Bauke
Career Strategist & Coach
The Strenghth Finder workshop was fastastic and I would recommend her to anyone who works with other people :-) Time with Valerie was well spent!
Steve Wahl
Senior Financial Advisor at ARGI Financial Group
Valerie engaged our entire firm for 2+ hours on Strengths coaching. She was engaging and effective with our energetic group. Building teams within the Strengths philosophy is why we brought in Valerie, and she exceeded our expectations. Thank you Valerie!
Michael Moore, Jr
Holistic Wealth Management Advisor
Thank you Valerie for the motivating seminar you held for ARGI Financial Group. It helped my team identify ways to use our strengths to our advantage to better accomplish our goals. Our time together was very productive (not to mention fun!). I highly recommend Valerie for any organization that wants to develop strength-based leadership and team collaboration.
Dena Nelson
Certified Financial Planner and Senior Financial Advisor
After selling my business, I took another C-level position in a different industry thinking that I have been successful and this would be no different. What I found was extreme dissatisfaction and dysfunction in a place I did not fit. At the recommendation of others, I sought the help of Valerie. She walked me through a discovery process that helped me understand why I have been successful in the past and the place and role that will be the most satisfying and rewarding for me. What a difference!! I found a new position that fits my strengths and I can’t thank Valerie enough. If you want to find the best role and team for you, or if you just want to make your team better. Run! Don’t walk! Valerie has the expertise that will bring results.
David Scott
Senior Director of Software and Technology Development
I just recently completed a year of executive coaching with Valerie and I have to say that it was a really meaningful and pivotal experience in my career. She helped guide me through some challenges that I have been facing both in my career and in my personal life. She truly cared about me and giving me everything I needed to come out the other side stronger, more confident, and ready to lead in my organization. She personalized her approach to my specific skills and challenges and gave me tangible tools that I can take with me to navigate anything that comes my way from here. I without a doubt recommend that if you get the opportunity to work with Valerie you take it! She was an exceptional coach and friend and I am a better person for having worked with her and gotten to know her this past year!
Cathi Bentz
Manager, Customer Relations Experience & Certified Life Coach
I have worked with Valerie both on a personal level and with my previous company, We hired Valerie to run a Strengths Workshop for our staff or 45. She facilitated the assessment tool directly with our staff, planned the workshop based on our expressed interests, took time to understand our culture and presented the material in a fun, energetic, and knowledgeable way. Valerie is so flexible and easy to work with. She is passionate about development of teams and believes in the power of her work. I would recommend Valerie for knowledge-based workshops on leadership development, strengths based topics, and career development. She provides a high level of value at a very reasonable price. I would definitely have Valerie back for other discussions and topics.
Carol Turchick
Director, Xavier Leadership Center, Xavier University
Valerie has been a valued consultant for ERS for a number of years. Specifically, Valerie has presented Strengths training for our leaders to help them better understand their unique strengths and assisted them in creating strategies for growth and development. Valerie is a trusted resources for small group team building and individual leadership development. Valerie's style of presenting information is energetic and engaging. She is compassionate, yet direct and leaves her audience with tangible tools to take a way and use.
Joan Wetzel
VP of HR, Episcopal Retirement Services
Valerie led a dynamic and highly effective Strengths Finder session during our Staff Leadership Training in 2015. Her combination of HR expertise and deep knowledge of strengths-based development makes her a terrific partner in evaluating and designing programs aimed at your objectives, and she was resourceful and creative problem-solver on everything from time constraints, budget parameters and a very short lead time for planning. Valerie’s energy, expertise and engaging style ensured that our workshop with 300 staff felt personal and relevant. The best evidence of Valerie’s impact resides in our ongoing strengths program, with 900 staff now able to use their strengths every day.
Janet Mills
Learning, performance and organizational development professional
Valerie led a very robust and informative Strengths Builders learning session for our Leadership Team. Her experience, insight and strength of character were instrumental in helping to guide our team to a greater understanding of each other as well as giving us the tools to build upon a future of tighter collaboration and trust. She is genuine and confident in her knowledge and not afraid to address sensitive issues. Just Terrific!
Sheri Vogel
Jewish Federation of Cincinnati

What our clients say about us...

Working with Valerie was an absolute pleasure. She taught a strengths-based leadership seminar for the National Multiple Sclerosis Cincinnati’s 2017 Leadership Class. Valerie hosted 2 seminars where they learned more about their top 5 strengths and how to focus on developing them in order to be strong leaders. The class members all left feeling clearly energized and excited. I noticed after the class that their fundraising went up again. I think understanding what made them better leaders helped them push themselves towards their fundraising goal. We would happily work with Valerie again for our next Leadership Class (Challenge). I highly recommend her for your business.
Julia Burks
Assistant Director at Parkinson Support and Wellness, Inc.
Valerie took the time to meet with me to discuss numerous ways that I can incorporate my Strengths not only into my resume, linked-in and job interviews, however, also into my daily life. Prior to our meeting, I wouldn’t have understood how my Top 5 Strengths could also lead to weaknesses within my life. Valerie was open to share strengths of her own and included examples of how they've caused weaknesses in moments of her life. Her openness to share her experiences and professional knowledge of her own strengths, has motivated me to become more aware and live out my unique strengths in all aspects of my life.

I truly believe that the information Valerie shared with me will be life changing in the long run. I highly recommend Valerie to any company or individual who is striving to discover and use their unique strengths. Valerie will guide and motivate you to use your strengths the right way and it may just change the way you live, for the better. Thank you Valerie for your time and professional guidance!!!
Matthew Shannon
Media Account Associate at 84.51˚ - Kroger Precision Marketing
I had the pleasure of learning about my strengths with the help of Valerie Plis through WE Lead. I would recommend Valerie to those who want to better understand individual talents and strengths and how best to leverage them as a team. One of Valerie’s many strengths is her wonderful presentation presence! She is an amazing facilitator who encourages dialogue, provides helpful hints, and has some fun along the way. I feel fortunate to have had two sessions with her!
Stephanie McCall
Director of Marketing at Dewey's Pizza
Valerie first "wow-ed" when she presented StrengthsFinder to my WE Lead class. I was so impressed that I hired Valerie to conduct a strengths-based workshop for my company's Leadership Team. I can't say enough great things. The session exceeded my expectations and highly, highly recommend her to others considering taking a deeper dive into the dynamics of their team's strengths. She is incredibly knowledgeable and an enthusiastic presenter who has the ability to change the minds of any skeptics in the room!
Kelly Bonnell
Chief Operations Officer at Constellation Wealth Advisors
I had the great fortune to explore my Strengths with Valerie during two full day sessions as part of my WE Lead Class 10 program. This was such an amazing part of my entire year in WE Lead and learning from Valerie not only what my strengths are, but how to apply them (and how not to) was life-changing for me. I spent this past year re-evaluating how I operate and interact with all kinds of people - colleagues, staff, alumni, friends and even family members and learned how to communicate my messages and my needs through the lens of strengths. Equally important, I learned that I need to be attuned to others' strengths so that I can leverage them and communicate with them more effectively. Thanks Valerie. You're a rock star!
Marihelen Millar
Assistant Dean, University of Cincinnati
My company hired Valerie for a StrengthsBuilder session for our team. Everyone found it so insightful and so powerful! I am confident that we will use our new knowledge to take our effectiveness and productivity to new heights! She really helped us see our team in new ways. Highly recommend!
Julie Bauke
Career Strategist & Coach
The Strenghth Finder workshop was fastastic and I would recommend her to anyone who works with other people :-) Time with Valerie was well spent!
Steve Wahl
Senior Financial Advisor at ARGI Financial Group
Valerie engaged our entire firm for 2+ hours on Strengths coaching. She was engaging and effective with our energetic group. Building teams within the Strengths philosophy is why we brought in Valerie, and she exceeded our expectations. Thank you Valerie!
Michael Moore, Jr
Holistic Wealth Management Advisor
Thank you Valerie for the motivating seminar you held for ARGI Financial Group. It helped my team identify ways to use our strengths to our advantage to better accomplish our goals. Our time together was very productive (not to mention fun!). I highly recommend Valerie for any organization that wants to develop strength-based leadership and team collaboration.
Dena Nelson
Certified Financial Planner and Senior Financial Advisor
After selling my business, I took another C-level position in a different industry thinking that I have been successful and this would be no different. What I found was extreme dissatisfaction and dysfunction in a place I did not fit. At the recommendation of others, I sought the help of Valerie. She walked me through a discovery process that helped me understand why I have been successful in the past and the place and role that will be the most satisfying and rewarding for me. What a difference!! I found a new position that fits my strengths and I can’t thank Valerie enough. If you want to find the best role and team for you, or if you just want to make your team better. Run! Don’t walk! Valerie has the expertise that will bring results.
David Scott
Senior Director of Software and Technology Development
I just recently completed a year of executive coaching with Valerie and I have to say that it was a really meaningful and pivotal experience in my career. She helped guide me through some challenges that I have been facing both in my career and in my personal life. She truly cared about me and giving me everything I needed to come out the other side stronger, more confident, and ready to lead in my organization. She personalized her approach to my specific skills and challenges and gave me tangible tools that I can take with me to navigate anything that comes my way from here. I without a doubt recommend that if you get the opportunity to work with Valerie you take it! She was an exceptional coach and friend and I am a better person for having worked with her and gotten to know her this past year!
Cathi Bentz
Manager, Customer Relations Experience & Certified Life Coach
I have worked with Valerie both on a personal level and with my previous company, We hired Valerie to run a Strengths Workshop for our staff or 45. She facilitated the assessment tool directly with our staff, planned the workshop based on our expressed interests, took time to understand our culture and presented the material in a fun, energetic, and knowledgeable way. Valerie is so flexible and easy to work with. She is passionate about development of teams and believes in the power of her work. I would recommend Valerie for knowledge-based workshops on leadership development, strengths based topics, and career development. She provides a high level of value at a very reasonable price. I would definitely have Valerie back for other discussions and topics.
Carol Turchick
Director, Xavier Leadership Center, Xavier University
Valerie has been a valued consultant for ERS for a number of years. Specifically, Valerie has presented Strengths training for our leaders to help them better understand their unique strengths and assisted them in creating strategies for growth and development. Valerie is a trusted resources for small group team building and individual leadership development. Valerie's style of presenting information is energetic and engaging. She is compassionate, yet direct and leaves her audience with tangible tools to take a way and use.
Joan Wetzel
VP of HR, Episcopal Retirement Services
Valerie led a dynamic and highly effective Strengths Finder session during our Staff Leadership Training in 2015. Her combination of HR expertise and deep knowledge of strengths-based development makes her a terrific partner in evaluating and designing programs aimed at your objectives, and she was resourceful and creative problem-solver on everything from time constraints, budget parameters and a very short lead time for planning. Valerie’s energy, expertise and engaging style ensured that our workshop with 300 staff felt personal and relevant. The best evidence of Valerie’s impact resides in our ongoing strengths program, with 900 staff now able to use their strengths every day.
Janet Mills
Learning, performance and organizational development professional
Valerie led a very robust and informative Strengths Builders learning session for our Leadership Team. Her experience, insight and strength of character were instrumental in helping to guide our team to a greater understanding of each other as well as giving us the tools to build upon a future of tighter collaboration and trust. She is genuine and confident in her knowledge and not afraid to address sensitive issues. Just Terrific!
Sheri Vogel
Jewish Federation of Cincinnati

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