VALarie "VAL" Wimes

Making sense of messy systems

Public Systems Strategist | Social Impact Architect | Advisor

My approach

I'm endlessly curious about how systems shape our everyday lives.

Whether it's how communities recover after disasters, why organizations struggle to solve problems together, or how a simple piece of infrastructure can influence behavior, I'm drawn to the questions beneath the surface. I believe meaningful change begins by understanding how people, policies, and systems interact—not by treating symptoms in isolation.

For more than a decade, I've partnered with nonprofits, governments, institutions, and founders to navigate complexity by designing strategies, programs, and systems that move ideas from possibility to implementation.

Today, I lead The Sameritan Project, a creative R&D ecosystem where new approaches to civic participation, circular systems, and community resilience are designed, tested, and refined before they scale.

Complex challenges rarely have simple solutions.

I work with organizations navigating moments of uncertainty, growth, or transformation when the path forward isn't obvious and the stakes are high.

Some of the questions I help answer include:

How do we turn an ambitious idea into a viable initiative?
Where is our current approach breaking down?
What system needs to change for this problem to stop repeating?
How do we bring multiple stakeholders together around a shared strategy?
What would it take to move this idea from concept to implementation?

Whether the challenge involves public systems, nonprofit strategy, civic innovation, or organizational change, my role is to bring clarity to complexity.

Ways We Can Work Together

Schedule a Free 15 minute Alignment Call

Strategy Intensive (90 min/ 4hr/ 8hr)

Need clarity before making an important decision?

Perfect for founders, nonprofit leaders, and institutions navigating complex challenges, new opportunities, or competing priorities. Together we'll identify what's really driving the challenge, explore strategic options, and leave with a practical roadmap for moving forward.

Ideal for:

strategic decisions
organizational challenges
partnership opportunities
early-stage ideas

Sessions scheduled with less than three business days’ notice are subject to a rush fee.

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Systems Diagnostic

Something feels stuck? Can't pinpoint why?

We'll examine how strategy, operations, partnerships, governance, and decision-making interact to identify leverage points and opportunities for improvement. You'll receive practical recommendations designed to strengthen your organization's ability to create long-term impact.

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Program Feasibility Scan

Have an idea but aren't sure how to bring it to life?

I'll help transform an early concept into a clear, actionable initiative by mapping the problem, stakeholders, feasibility, implementation approach, and long-term sustainability.

Deliverables may include:

concept refinement
stakeholder map
implementation roadmap
success metrics
feasibility considerations

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Fractional Systems Strategist (3 month min)

For organizations navigating long-term transformation.

Some challenges can't be solved in a single meeting.

As an ongoing strategic advisor, I'll support your team through planning, decision-making, systems design, partnership strategy, and implementation as new opportunities and challenges emerge.

Latest thoughts...

from ideas to impact (some of my faves)

I created a free online school during COVID, hosting sessions focused on various careers for ages 8-18. I brought in individuals who were laid off to teach virtually in a hands-on approach.

I produced a show with a film department called Cook and Consider. The concept uses food to engage strangers in conversations about deeper topics and encourage critical thinking.

I created a physical product called The Project Guru Planner. The planner was developed after donating over 300 consulting hours to small founders operating with budgets under $50K, helping them better organize ideas, strategy, and execution.

Curiosity led me to explore how I could assist a town suffering from a lack of clean water. I formed a team, and together we volunteered over 1,000 hours working to combat corruption, build partnerships, and pursue justice.

I received the Presidential Service Award from President Obama.

I was a State Commissioner for Volunteer Services at 15.

I became a first generation college graduate at age 20.

I taught 3rd-5th graders a social justice curriculum, and it led to a music video.

I created a pop-up Coffee Museum designed to explore the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Check out a recap of the discoveries here.

I created "A Seat at the Table," an immersive performance project exploring community experiences through interactive storytelling, facilitated interaction, and shared meals.

I launched a Scrap Kitchen that kept methane out of landfills by turning produce surplus, or “waste,” into nutritious upcycled meals for fire survivors.

I helped bring the first citywide event supporting disabled bodies to Manta, Ecuador.

Want to work together?

Let's Connect 😁

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