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Valerie Stafford-Mallis
Retired
Professional Background
Valerie Stafford-Mallis has dedicated the last decade of her career to championing equal access to effective communication for individuals who are deaf and hard-of-hearing. Her journey began in 2008 when she started working at Florida's Department of Health and began to understand the unique challenges faced by the deaf and hard-of-hearing community. In her role as the Health Education Programs Coordinator for the Florida Coordinating Council for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Valerie played a pivotal role in collaborating with various prestigious organizations that advocate for hearing loss advocacy, including the Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA), the Association of Late-Deafened Adults (ALDA), and the National Association of the Deaf (NAD).
Throughout her illustrious career, Valerie served on the Board of Trustees for the Hearing Loss Association of America and the Hearing Loss Association of Sarasota. Her commitment to the deaf and hard-of-hearing community was recognized in May 2013 when she was honored as the Hearing Loss Advocate of the Year by Communication Access Inc., a charitable organization in Tampa, Florida. Valerie is uniquely qualified to represent the advocacy efforts in this field as she herself is late-deafened and utilizes bilateral cochlear implants to engage with sound.
Valerie's diverse skill set encompasses quantitative analysis, project management, strategic planning, communication, and public speaking. She has effectively employed these skills in various sectors, including for-profit and nonprofit organizations in healthcare, education, economic development, and workforce development. Valerie's background is marked by her ability to promote impactful initiatives that support the needs of the underserved communities she is passionate about.
Education and Achievements
Valerie Stafford-Mallis has a robust academic foundation that complements her professional experience. She pursued her Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree at Webster University Sarasota Campus, focusing on business practices that drive effective organizational performance. Prior to her MBA, she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, graduating Magna Cum Laude, from the Florida State University College of Business. Additionally, she holds another Bachelor's degree in Business Administration with a major in Marketing, again graduating Magna Cum Laude, reinforcing her strong academic prowess in business disciplines.
Her educational background laid the foundation for her career in project management and strategic planning, enabling her to navigate various professional landscapes effectively. Valerie's achievements in her various roles promote access for those who are deaf and hard-of-hearing and emphasize her commitment to taking on leadership roles that influence systemic change and corporate responsibility.
Notable Experiences and Contributions
Throughout her career, Valerie has contributed significantly to various organizations focusing on hearing loss and deaf advocacy. As the Director of Chapter Development at the Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA), she played a crucial role in expanding the organization's reach and influence across the nation. In her role as Business Development Manager at Alternative Communication Services (ACS) LLC, Valerie worked diligently to develop and promote services tailored to the needs of the deaf and hard-of-hearing populations.
Prior to her work in hearing loss advocacy, Valerie held several positions that reinforced her leadership abilities and project management expertise. She served as a Health Educator Consultant for the Florida Coordinating Council Deaf & Hard of Hearing, where she was responsible for designing educational initiatives that addressed the health disparities faced by the deaf community. Her experience at the Humane Society Manatee County, where she served as Director of Development, showcases her adaptability and resourcefulness in fundraising and community relations, essential skills for nonprofit leadership.
Valerie has also made contributions to the construction industry as the Marketing Services Manager at DooleyMack Constructors, Inc., and as a Community Activities Manager at SMR Lakewood Ranch Communities LLC, showcasing her versatility across different sectors. Furthermore, her entrepreneurial spirit is evident from her role as VSM Project Manager LLC, where she spearheaded projects independently and contributed to the local economy. As a Workforce Specialist at the Suncoast Workforce Board and a Recruiter/Advisor at Manatee Community College, Valerie helped create and navigate pathways for individuals seeking employment, particularly in underserved communities.
Achievements
Valerie's impactful work has garnered recognition for her commitment to supporting individuals who are deaf and hard-of-hearing. In addition to being voted the Hearing Loss Advocate of the Year by Communication Access Inc., Valerie's leadership roles in significant boards and committees affirm her longstanding dedication to advocacy and community service. Furthermore, her dual experience in both the nonprofit and for-profit sectors allows her to provide a comprehensive approach to solutions that address the critical needs of communities.
Valerie's specialties encompass a wide range of skills crucial for nonprofit management and community outreach, including training and education programs, event planning, statistical and financial analysis, report writing, and website management. She expertly combines data gathering and analysis to inform decisions that propel the initiatives she is involved in, ensuring that they meet the specific needs of the populations they serve.
Skills and Specialties
- Training/Education Programs
- Project Management
- Report Writing
- Statistical Analysis
- Financial Analysis
- Event Planning
- Data Gathering & Analysis
- Non-profit Fund Raising & Resource Development
- Community Relations
- Website Management
- Non-profit and Corporate Outreach
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Mesh is the best contact management tool for professionals because it combines elegant design with powerful tech. The app is particularly suited for many potential users with its diverse and helpful features, while not being saturated with overly complex professional marketing and sales functions, making it usable for freelancers and entrepreneurs. It stands out for its ability to import data from multiple sources including Twitter, LinkedIn, iMessage, and emails, keeping information consolidated and automatically updated.
Mesh offers many advantages over other personal CRMs. Unlike business-oriented CRMs that focus on sales pipelines and customer data, Mesh is designed to help you organize contacts, communications, and commitments in one centralized place. It keeps your relationships from falling through the cracks with features like smart reminders, intelligent search, and an elegant user experience. Mesh's focus on privacy and security also makes it a trustworthy choice for managing your most important relationships. Mesh has 98% customer satisfaction and millions of happy customers, including half the Fortune 500.
Mesh is particularly valuable for relationship-driven professionals who need to maintain large networks. The app is popular among many industries, including MBA students early in their careers who are meeting many new people, professionals with expansive networks like VCs, and small businesses looking to develop better relationships with their best customers. Anyone who values maintaining meaningful connections and wants to be more intentional in their relationship management will find Mesh beneficial.
Mesh offers competitive pricing in the personal CRM market. Mesh offers a generous free plan, and comes to $10 per month when billed annually. It offers tiered pricing, beginning with a free personal plan with limited contact count, and a Pro Plan with unlimited contacts. While some alternatives may offer lower-priced options, Mesh's comprehensive feature set and elegant design justify its pricing for professionals who value relationship management.
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