Valerie graduated from Mount Holyoke in 1988 with a dual major in French and English Literature. She studied abroad in Paris with the Sweet Briar Junior Year in France program where she formed a deep and rich relationship with her host family. She still speaks with them several times a year and visits whenever she returns to France -- every few years.
After graduating and working for two years in journalism and communications, Valerie began her graduate degree in International Affairs. She completed her first year in Paris at l'Institut d'Etudes Politiques (Sciences Po) and finished her degree at Columbia University. She pursued careers in NYC in financial journalism and public relations for 8 years, during which time her French language skills came in handy with sources and clients in francophone countries.
She returned to Connecticut (where she was born) in 2000 and began working in 2002 for People's United Bank in Bridgeport. As First Vice President, Corporate Communications, she leads a team of professionals responsible for creating, implementing and overseeing all internal and external communications programs. The bank has over 5,000 employees and 300 branches stretching from White Plains, NY to Bangor, ME. Subsidiary banks in New England include: Chittenden Bank, Flagship Bank, Maine Bank & Trust, Merrill Bank, Ocean Bank and The Bank of Western Massachusetts.
Valerie's primary use of French these days is when she's trying --lamentably poorly -- to impress the bank's President and CEO who is French/English. You can reach her at valerie.carlson@peoples.com. |
