Meet Our Team Wellness Coordinator: Valerie
A Wellness Coordinator? What is that and how does someone find themselves in this career? And why does Ready Foods have one? Read on!
Valerie's journey began in Puerto Rico, her home, where she initially pursued a career in medicine. After a few years of studying biology, she realized medical school wasn't the right fit for her. So off she went to Madrid for a student exchange program, which opened her eyes to a different way of living and ignited her entrepreneurial spirit.
After working in the food industry during college, Valerie decided to leave Puerto Rico and enroll in a culinary program in Boulder, Colorado. Tapping into her creative side, Valerie focused on farm-to-table cuisine. Her goal was to return to Puerto Rico and address food insecurity, a mission that remains close to her heart.
On a mission to learn the administrative side of the restaurant business, Valerie moved to Denver but couldn’t envision the chef career path. During her time in restaurants, she became certified as a yoga instructor and a holistic health coach. This combination of food and wellness led her to work at the GrowHaus, where she engaged with the Hispanic community, providing food education and wellness classes in Spanish.
Valerie eventually joined Ready Foods, where she continues to use her coaching skills while staying connected to the food industry. Valerie's role as a Wellness Coordinator is dynamic and multifaceted. She spends her days at our different facilities, supporting employees with health insurance questions, emotional guidance, and wellness initiatives. Recently, she hosted a smoothie pop-up for each of our teams!
Valerie’s dedication to employee wellness is evident through her weekly 10-minute desk stretches, personalized one-on-one support, and her vision for future initiatives like wellness fairs and food demos. She is a trusted resource for employees, providing immediate assistance with insurance questions, doctor appointments, while thinking about the long-term wellness of our team.
Outside of work, Valerie enjoys cooking, gardening, and exploring the outdoors with her family. Her love for the outdoors and her Puerto Rican heritage are integral parts of who she is.
We are fortunate to have Valerie on our team, bringing her passion for wellness and her diverse background to Ready Foods. Her commitment to supporting our employees means they have more support to show up at work and at home as happier and healthier humans. Happy, safe, healthy people make the best food!
