Valerie Kuhns
Vice President, Market and Sector Development, Niagara Economic Development Corporation (NEDC).
Valerie’s responsibilities include identifying, targeting and attracting emerging technologies worldwide for investment and the economic growth of the Niagara region. New market potential, products and processes are part of the strategies developed and implemented by NEDC. Enhancing the development of the interactive digital media industry with its emerging technologies is important to place Niagara within the global market.
Valerie has significant international experience having conducted business throughout Europe, Asia and the U.S.A. Her present assignment involves working with industry specialists and directly with companies of interest to meet NEDC’s objectives. Prior to NEDC, her experience as Marketing Executive for the Yorkshire and Humberside Development Association of England provided additional insight into today’s work. She also has served as Marketing Manager for the U.K. consulting firm of KPMG and as Marketing Executive for England’s Open University Business School, which included the launch of their MBA program. Val has a BA(Hons) degree from Leeds University and a PG Diploma in Business Studies.
Valerie presently also serves on the Board of Directors of the Niagara Work Force Planning Board (NWPB), whose function is to develop and implement multifaceted strategies to strengthen the skill base of Niagara’s labour market.
Valerie has lived in Niagara since 1999 and joined NEDC in a full time position in 2005. Before that she served as a trade consultant to a number of businesses throughout the Region.
