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The Valbrun Consulting Group The Valbrun Consulting Group works tirelessly to identify creative solutions and to provide quality tools that ignite leadership success.

Today I was reminded of just how long this journey in education has been. A former student sent me this yearbook picture...
08/17/2026

Today I was reminded of just how long this journey in education has been.

A former student sent me this yearbook picture from 1996. (Thirty years ago!) I was in my fifth year of teaching, standing in my classroom doing what I absolutely loved to do.
(And apparently, I was doing it with my whole body. 😂)

Looking at this picture brought back so many memories (90s teachers, did y’all have that fancy Texas Instruments grade book device I’m wearing like a pouch?… thinking I was all high tech! 😆)

Before my years in school and district leadership, before consulting, before I knew anything about strategic planning, organizational development, leadership coaching, and all the other chapters my career would eventually include, there was Ms. V, the classroom teacher.

Back then, I had no idea where this career would take me. What I did know was that I loved my students. I loved teaching. I loved watching young people figure things out, discover what they were capable of, and become more confident in themselves. I took that very seriously (while barely 10 years older than my students) and I saw my responsibility as being one of the adults entrusted with helping them grow.

One of the greatest gifts of spending more than three decades in education is that some of those "kids" are now very grown adults, with careers, families, and lives of their own…and somehow, after all these years, we are still connected.

That means more to me than they probably realize.
There are so many ways to measure a career: titles, accomplishments, organizations led, programs built, plans developed, awards, degrees, books, and all the rest. But there is something particularly special about being connected to my former student that reminded me that our lives not only intersected in a classroom, but for a lifetime.

I’ve worn a lot of hats since this picture was taken, but this reminded me that “teacher” will always be one of my favorites.

Shout out to all the teachers and leaders welcoming students this week. Y’all are the real MVPs❤️

06/25/2026

Earlier this week, I traveled to Miami to spend time in one of my favorite places. Not the city itself, although the sunshine certainly didn't hurt.

My favorite place is in a room of mission-driven leaders who are willing to pause long enough to ask the bigger questions that shape their organization's future.

Over the course of the retreat, we created space to reflect, engage in honest dialogue, examine challenges, and strengthen the conditions necessary for their teams and communities to thrive.

Retreats are often viewed as a break from the work. In reality, they are some of the most important work leaders can do. When leadership teams take time to build trust, clarify expectations, align around priorities, and address the issues that rarely fit neatly onto an agenda, they increase their capacity to lead healthy, high performing organizations. This doesn't happen by accident. It happens when leaders are willing to do the internal work required to navigate complexity, strengthen culture, and translate good intentions into meaningful action.

I am always grateful for the opportunity to support organizations across sectors- school districts, non-profits, justice-centered, and children and family serving organizations- as they engage in that important work.

If your leadership team, executive team, or board is preparing for strategic planning, navigating change, addressing culture and communication challenges, or seeking greater alignment around what matters most, I'd welcome a conversation.

Last week, I had the privilege of participating in The Winters Group’s 2026 Justice for All Summit and as always, it was...
05/06/2026

Last week, I had the privilege of participating in The Winters Group’s 2026 Justice for All Summit and as always, it was an incredible two-day experience. This year’s theme, Bold Work, Brave Future, truly came to life!

The energy, the conversations, and the collective commitment to equity and impact were powerful. From start to finish, it was a space grounded in purpose, learning, and forward movement. I’m grateful to have been part of something so meaningful.

I also had the opportunity to contribute to the Wellness Corner, where I guided a short meditation focused on helping us reset, recharge, and regulate our nervous systems, so we can stay steady, present, and resourced in the midst of everything happening around us.

Because we all need moments to pause, I invite you to take 10 minutes for yourself and experience the meditation here: https://lnkd.in/efaqhwHP

A special thank you to the incredible team at The Winters Group, led by Mary-Frances Winters and Mareisha Winters Reese, for continuing to convene and lead such important work.

Calling my fellow educators! This an excellent opportunity to be in community on June 26 and 27.
04/17/2026

Calling my fellow educators! This an excellent opportunity to be in community on June 26 and 27.

Bold conversations require more than just ideas — they require care.That’s why we have the Wellness Corner at the Justic...
04/13/2026

Bold conversations require more than just ideas — they require care.

That’s why we have the Wellness Corner at the Justice for All Summit.

Throughout the event, you’ll have space to pause, reset, and reconnect through guided practices designed to support nervous system regulation, reflection, and sustainable engagement.

Join Sarah Rimmel, Valda Valbrun, and Abdulrahman Waaqoo.

Because the work doesn’t just ask us to show up… it asks us to stay.

Be part of this Summit virtually April 29–30. Registration starts at $100: https://lnkd.in/ecep28un

I caved to the trend and well, there I am: sitting in a yoga pose in the middle of the office, charts on the walls, coff...
02/05/2026

I caved to the trend and well, there I am: sitting in a yoga pose in the middle of the office, charts on the walls, coffee within reach, a laptop open, books stacked high, and an idea lighting me up.

I thought about this and asked what’s the story this is telling?

Running a company often feels exactly like this. You’re balancing strategy, people, growth, decisions, and the constant pressure to innovate, all at the same time, all while also trying to be cute ☺️.

What I’ve learned is that leadership isn’t just about driving results. It’s about managing your energy, your focus, and your perspective. The clearer you are, the better you lead.

For me, practices like yoga and mindfulness aren’t “extras.” They’re part of how I stay grounded, helps me make better decisions, and show up fully, not just for my clients and the work, but also, for myself.

The caricature makes it look effortless. In real life, balance is something you keep adjusting, day after day. That balance creates clarity and the calm fuels leadership.

And sometimes the best ideas really do come when you pause long enough to breathe.

10/04/2025

Lessons in Leadership from the Yoga Mat

Recently, I became a certified yoga instructor. While this was a personal milestone, I quickly realized the lessons I learned on the mat are deeply relevant to my leadership work.

Yoga teaches us that how we show up for ourselves is how we show up for others. Leaders who neglect self-care often lead from depletion and can't give from overflow.

Here are five parallels I’ve carried from yoga into leadership:

1. Presence matters. Just as each breath (prana) draws you into the present moment, effective leadership requires being fully present with your team, listening, observing, and responding with intention.

2. Balance is strength. In yoga, balance (samatva) isn’t about rigidity, it’s about stability and a state of equilibrium, harmonizing between effort and ease through constant adjustment. Leaders, too, should find equilibrium between strategy and ex*****on, vision and detail, AND between work and rest.

3. Flexibility fosters resilience. On the mat, mindful movement increases strength, and flexibility reduces strain and prevents injury. In leadership, adaptability keeps organizations agile in the face of change.

4. Discipline builds capacity. Yoga is a spiritual discipline that unites the mind and body, physical postures (asanas) and breath control (pranayama.) Progress in yoga comes through consistent practice, not overnight gains. Similarly, strong leadership is cultivated through steady habits, reflection, and continuous improvement over time.

5. Compassion sustains impact. Yoga reminds us to lead without judgment, of self or others. In yoga, compassion (karuna) reminds us to consider those who are suffering. Compassionate leaders build trust, create psychological safety, and inspire and support others to bring their best selves forward.

Leadership isn’t only about what we achieve, or the title we hold, it’s also about how we lead. For me, yoga has reinforced the truth that sustainable leadership begins with sustainable self-care. So, how are you caring for yourself?

Great day working with school leaders, board and community members!
08/29/2025

Great day working with school leaders, board and community members!



As we reflect on 10 years of the Valbrun Consulting Group, our CEO, Valda Valbrun, cites the foundational impact of the ...
08/11/2025

As we reflect on 10 years of the Valbrun Consulting Group, our CEO, Valda Valbrun, cites the foundational impact of the work that remains unchanging. Take a moment to reflect on what transformation means to you.

As the Valbrun Consulting Group celebrates 10 years, we are most proud of our impact. We’ve watched organizations shift ...
08/05/2025

As the Valbrun Consulting Group celebrates 10 years, we are most proud of our impact. We’ve watched organizations shift their cultures. We’ve seen leaders find their voice. We’ve witnessed what happens when centering on people isn’t just a line in a mission statement, but a lived commitment. Join us in celebrating 10 years!

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