People Champion

Valerie Crafton

VAL Consultants

Valerie Crafton is a digital infrastructure industry leader committed to expanding access, equity and opportunity across the talent pipeline. She is the Founder and CEO of VAL Consultants, a woman-owned business that provides expert, hands-on consulting and construction management services. The Val Consultants team reflects a range of perspectives including women, veterans and professionals from underrepresented backgrounds.

To address the critical labor shortage in mission-critical construction, Valerie launched Hands-On Heroes, a nonprofit organization that introduces elementary school students to skilled trades through a children’s book series and hands-on learning kits for science, technology, engineering and math. She is also a co-host of Beyond the Megawatt podcast, a platform she uses to amplify voices of unsung innovators and professionals who are shaping the infrastructure of tomorrow.

In parallel, Valerie leads the iMWomen Phoenix Chapter, curating spaces where women and allies unite for networking, storytelling and leadership growth. From organizing local empowerment events to helping shape iMasons’ broader inclusion efforts, Valerie’s work is visionary and tactical, building bridges that connect generations, disciplines and identities to ensure the digital infrastructure workforce is prepared, resilient and represents the communities it serves.