Coaching for folks in techwho want more power, more credit, and less bullshit.
You're good at this. That's not the problem.
The problem is the part where you do the work, manage the politics, mask through the nonsense, and still get treated like a maybe. You might already be doing the job without the title, the credit, or the money, and you are done waiting for permission to stop.
Or maybe you are at a crossroads, between roles, freshly made redundant, working out what the hell the next decade is actually for.
As a VP Engineering, ILM certified Executive Coach, neurodivergent, queer and disabled person, I help folks in tech get unstuck or levelled up.
Sometimes that's one super-focussed conversation. Sometimes you need someone who already knows the context while you navigate the thing that keeps coming back to you at 3am in the morning.
We will work out what is real, what is noise, what is costing you, and what the hell to do next.
Who I Work With
I work with folks in tech in all roles from software engineering and product to QA, devops, and everything in between. If you are an engineering manager I have a specialist page for that.
Often that's neurodivergent people: autistic, ADHD, or some flavour of both, plus queer and disabled folks, because the systems were not built with us in mind and the workarounds get exhausting. But I offer support to everyone in tech.
"I want power, visibility, or progression without having to become smaller, smoother, or easier to digest."
"I have been made redundant and need help figuring out what comes next."
"Nothing is wrong, exactly. I am just at a crossroads and feeling lost."
"I'm doing excellent work and somehow still getting treated like a maybe."
"I am so obviously hitting a ceiling here it may as well have my forehead print on it."
"I am burning out, I have had enough, and I do not know what to do."
"I know something has to change. I just need help working out what, and in what order."
"I am masking so hard I can barely hear myself think."
"I keep being praised for resilience when what I actually needed was support."
"I keep doing senior work while everyone acts like promotion would be a wild experiment."
"I cannot work out whether I need boundaries, accommodations, a new job, or a nap that lasts six months."
"I am rebuilding my confidence after being ignored,underestimated or let go."
Why work with me
I'm a practicing VP of Engineering, not a coach who left the industry a decade ago. I'm still in the weeds and at the exec table, often in the same day, so I know what these situations look like from every angle. I've coached people through missed promotions, hard pivots, burnout, bad bosses, and the quieter thing: wanting more and not quite knowing how to go get it.
Whether something's on fire or you just know you're capable of more than this, what I bring is the same: focus, directness, good humour, and someone who has been in most of these situations and came out knowing what actually helps.
I'm autistic, which means I don't do performative nonsense. You get someone who will get to the actual thing faster than you expect, and be genuinely in your corner while we do it.
What happens in a session
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01
We dive straight in
You don't need to have it packaged. Bring it raw, bring it half-formed, bring it at the point where you've been turning it over for three weeks and getting nowhere. We're working it from the moment we start.
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02
We get to the heart of it, fast
You tell me what is going on. We work out what the actual problem is, what the real constraint is, and where the pressure is really coming from. Not the version you've been telling everyone else.
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03
We work out the next steps
This is not an hour of talking about your feelings. We look at what you're about to do, what it will kick off, and whether it's the right call.
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04
You leave with something real
You leave knowing what you think and what you're doing next. Most people are surprised how much shifts in an hour.
Still thinking "yes, but what even is a coach?" I wrote the fuller, swearier explainer here: What's A Coach Anyway?
I can't diagnose you, because coaching is not a medical assessment. I can help you make sense of what you are noticing and work out what to do about it.
What happens next
Pricing
Three ways in. One hour to get unstuck. Three sessions for when one won't cut it. Or a standing arrangement, for when you just want someone in your corner who already knows the story.
Most clients expense this through their L&D budget, and it fits within a standard allowance. You might not be paying for this yourself.
£350
The Decisive Hour
One session. When you need to think clearly before you act.
Need more than one? Roll it into The Campaign within 7 days and pay only the £450 balance. No penalty for starting here.
Let's do this£800
The Campaign
Three sessions. When one conversation won't be enough.
Save £250 vs. booking separately
No re-briefing. I already hold the context, so no session restarts from scratch.
Let's do this£250/mo
The Advisory
Someone in your corner, every month, without you having to explain it again.
A monthly rhythm. Short written check-ins through the month, one call to pull it together.
Let's do thisAll sessions are subject to my disclaimer and terms.
Real folks. Real results.
Growth and clarity
"Val brought a rare combination of honesty, humour and practical strategy to our coaching sessions."
I've worked with Val both as a colleague at Thirdfort and as my career coach since 2023, and she's had a significant impact on my career.
When I started working with Val I was unsure which direction I wanted to take my career in, and was failing to thrive in my work environment. She helped me identify my core values, what I actually wanted from my career and how to make the most of my current situation. That clarity made a real difference to my future career plans and day to day working life.
Val brought a rare combination of honesty, humour and practical strategy to our coaching sessions. Providing a valuable sounding board for ideas, she knows when to challenge and when to offer advice.
If you're an engineer, manager or technical leader looking for a coach who genuinely understands the industry from the perspective of neurodivergent woman you need to speak to Val. Five stars, no notes.
One of a kind
"I spent half an hour talking to Val and everything changed"
When Val started coaching me, I was at the lowest ebb of my career. Demoralised, dejected, more than a little pissed off. I was absolutely ready to throw in the towel. Then I spent half an hour talking to Val and everything changed. I think I still have whiplash from how suddenly she changed my situation.
She saw me at a point when I'd almost stopped being able to see myself. She recognised something worth backing and gave me the space to start proving it. For the first time in a long time, I know where I'm going - and that's because of Val.
I cannot thank Val enough. I will continue to ask myself "What would Val do?" - to lead with kindness, honesty and humanity. I look forward to working with Val again.
New leadership role
"She coached me through the practical issues and emotional regulation needed to excel."
I've always believed that when you move into a new situation, the best thing you can do is reach out to folks who have been there and done it. Little did I know when I reached out to Valerie the huge impact it would have on me.
She coached me through the practical issues and emotional regulation needed to excel in this role, and avoid traps common with folks moving into more leadership-oriented positions from technical backgrounds.
Safe and inclusive
"It gave me the space to grow, learn, and become a better version of myself in an environment that truly felt safe and inclusive."
Val is truly an inspiration to look up to. I had the privilege of being part of the incredible engineering culture she built at Thirdfort. She has this amazing ability to create a high-performance yet supportive and psychologically safe environment where engineers feel valued, trusted, and empowered to do their best work.
It gave me the space to grow, learn, and become a better version of myself in an environment that truly felt safe and inclusive. Any company would be beyond lucky to have her.
