Meet Valerie
From leading initiatives to help launch a billion-dollar brand in Florida to managing communications for high-profile organizations during complex state and global events, Valerie’s career has been shaped by high-stakes challenges and meaningful milestones. Valerie has more than two decades of experience in the private and public sector, and is known as a purpose-driven leader and trusted visionary in her field.
Contact Valerie directly · valerie@workwithadele.com
Valerie Wickboldt
CHIEF STRATEGY OFFICER
As Chief Strategy Officer at ADELE, Valerie Wickboldt leads with vision and purpose— guiding the agency’s strategic direction, elevating client impact, and aligning brand storytelling with long-term business growth. With nearly 20 years of experience at the intersection of communications, marketing, public affairs and brand strategy, Valerie brings a bold yet thoughtful approach to helping clients further define their brand, promote their purpose and protect their reputation. Her experience spans both public and private sectors, working with cross-functional teams to develop integrated strategies that move people, shape narratives, and deliver results.
Valerie has served as president of Avail Strategies, where she lobbied and advised on government affairs issues, and as assistant vice president at Nashville-based HCA Healthcare, where she helped lead her team of regional communications, marketing and community engagement professionals and executive leadership through the global pandemic and the launch of its market brand, HCA Florida Healthcare. She has served as communications and marketing lead at the Florida Department of Revenue, one of the state’s largest agencies, The James Madison Institute, Florida’s free market think tank and CoreMessage, a top public relations firm in Tallahassee.
Valerie’s strength lies in helping organizations uncover the heart of their story, anticipate the future, and act with intention. At ADELE, she applies her expertise in brand strategy, campaign innovation, and stakeholder alignment to help clients grow with authenticity and strategic focus.
A Florida native and graduate of Florida State University, Valerie is a Leadership Florida lifetime member and serves on the boards of The Economic Club of Florida and Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Big Bend, where she also mentors. She is a member of the Florida Public Relations Association, is a FPRA Image Award Winner, and was named a Rising Star in Florida Politics, a “40 under 40” by News Service of Florida and one of the state’s “Great Communicators” by INFLUENCE Magazine.