Valerie Bearup Speaker Bio

Our next speaker knows that great fundraising doesn’t happen by accident—it happens through strategy, leadership, and the ability to inspire people to invest in a mission.

Valerie Bearup is the founder of Valerie Bearup Strategies, where she partners with nonprofit organizations, boards, and leadership teams to strengthen fundraising performance, navigate organizational challenges, and create events that inspire generosity and deliver results.

An accomplished fundraising auctioneer, nonprofit strategist, crisis manager, and professional speaker, Valerie brings more than 25 years of executive leadership experience spanning nonprofit organizations, hospitality, public relations, communications, marketing, and community engagement. Throughout her career, she has helped organizations strengthen their brands, lead through change, build meaningful partnerships, and raise millions of dollars in support of their missions.

Before launching Valerie Bearup Strategies, she served in executive leadership roles with Caesars Entertainment and Cooper Hotels before founding and leading an award-winning public relations and marketing agency serving businesses and nonprofit organizations across the Mid-South.

Valerie holds a business degree from the University of North Carolina and an Executive Certificate in Transformational Nonprofit Leadership from the University of Notre Dame. Her professional journey also includes an unexpected distinction as the American Culinary Federation’s first female Chef of the Year and recognition as a James Beard Foundation chef representing Tennessee—a testament to her lifelong belief that creativity, discipline, and excellence translate across every profession.

Whether serving as a fundraising auctioneer, helping organizations navigate crisis, coaching executive leadership, or inspiring audiences from the stage, Valerie is known for bringing practical wisdom, contagious energy, and a deep commitment to helping organizations turn purpose into measurable impact.

Please join me in welcoming Valerie Bearup.