Gerry Valentine inspires people to build resilience—to overcome setbacks, to look at challenges in new ways, and to understand that adversity can become a source of resilience. Gerry’s a public speaker, executive coach, and business advisor with more than 25 years of experience as a Fortune 100 leader. As the founder of Vision Executive Coaching, he is a trusted advisor to corporate executives, business leaders, and entrepreneurs on how to use a setback as a teacher; how to unlock creativity, imagination, and innovation; and how to use the best within oneself to inspire the very best in others.
Gerry built a career with some of the world’s most respected firms—companies such as American Express and Pfizer, Inc.—where he led multi-million-dollar lines of business. But this was an unlikely path. Gerry’s early life was spent in poverty, in a low-income part of New York City, and as the child of a single mother. He went on to earn a BS in Engineering from Cornell University, and an MBA from the New York University Stern School of Management. Along the way, Gerry found that the adversity of his youth had given him the resilience he needed to succeed in the corporate world, and that building resilience is a skill he can teach others. Today, Gerry gives keynotes and workshops across the country on building resilience, leading with resilience, and unlocking innovation. He is a TEDx speaker and a contributor to Forbes.com.
Gerry divides his time between New York City and New Paltz, New York—a picturesque town in the Hudson River Valley. He’s an outdoor enthusiast who enjoys running, cycling, hiking, and skiing. Gerry has also completed eight Ironman Triathlons, five marathons, and many shorter- distance events.
