Valerie Nelson
BioSTL Global Strategy & Operations Sr. Manager
Valerie has over 20 years of leadership across healthcare, life sciences, and technology building scalable systems that solve complex challenges. She has led high-impact initiatives across public and private sectors, managing multi-site operations, overseeing multimillion-dollar budgets, and spearheading enterprise-wide innovations in high-growth companies. Her focus here is to enable BioSTL Global’s strategy with implementation and operating models that drive action, insights, and increased capacity.
Most recently serving as Senior Director of Program Management at Eversana Life Sciences, Valerie launched and scaled multiple high-revenue programs, implemented structured planning and performance tools, and reduced critical compliance and operational risks while significantly improving KPIs.
She previously served as the Chief Operating Officer for the St. Louis County Department of Public Health, leading county-wide healthcare operations. Her leadership resulted in major improvements in care quality, workforce stability, and cost efficiency, earning recognition for reform in correctional medicine. Valerie also held change management and operational excellence roles at Centene, Savvis, and Southwestern Bell. In addition to her corporate experience, Valerie spent several years abroad leading advocacy efforts to improve health and social services for mothers and children.
Valerie holds a Master of Healthcare Administration from Webster University, a BS in Industrial Engineering from Missouri S&T, and advanced graduate work in International Economics & Politics from Charles University in Prague. Valerie was a Focus St. Louis Impact Fellow and is certified in Lean Six Sigma, ITIL, and SAFe Agile. She lives in St. Louis with her husband and three teenage sons and enjoys traveling, reading, and exploring restaurants.