Valerie Francis

Valerie brings nearly two decades of experience in the insurance industry and is widely recognized as a subject matter expert in managing healthcare costs and organizational risk exposure. Her depth of knowledge and strategic insight have made her a trusted leader in the employee benefits space. A graduate of the LEAP program (formerly Leadership Pioneer Valley), Class of 2014, Valerie is a respected professional across the New England region and
has been nationally recognized as a 2024 Excellence in Benefits honoree. In addition to her insurance expertise, Valerie is a Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) Consultant with a specialized focus on Inclusive Leadership. She partners with organizations to empower leaders through equitable benefit design, ensuring that the diverse needs of
employees and their families are met with intention and fairness. Valerie is deeply committed to expanding pathways for change and equipping today’s leaders to cultivate psychological safety and embed inclusive leadership as a core organizational value.
As an Area Vice President, Valerie leads employee benefits strategy and execution, overseeing healthcare reform initiatives, fostering collaborative partnerships with carriers and clients, and guiding internal teams to achieve strong retention and business growth. She is known for her comprehensive understanding of insurance coverages and market
trends, and she regularly provides clients with critical compliance guidance related to state and federal regulatory requirements.