VALEN - Key Persons

Gus Valen was convinced that there is a better way to deliver the discipline and strategic insight of a McKinsey or Boston Consulting Group, by better linking strategy to execution, integrating disciplines, and offering superior value. He started a boutique strategy consulting firm in 2000 with a mission to inspire people to do new things. Valen loves spending time with clients and staff discussing principles of strategy, competitiveness and positioning. Early on he often found that the answer to the strategic question, "How do we grow?" was to innovate, or to acquire capabilities the client did not have through partnerships. Always focused on growth, and tuned into clients' needs, the company evolved to offer innovation consulting as well as agile qualitative and custom quantitative insight in addition to the firm's established strategy consulting capabilities. Next, Valen's unique Strategic Brand Licensing methodology was developed from the firm's Strategic Partnership approach honed on new ventures and transformational innovation projects. Valen continues to lead and grow not only Valen Group but also other ventures through vision, entrepreneurship and grit. Blue Ocean Facilities - a creative offsite meeting space in Cincinnati, Ohio can be rented by day by Valen or any business or service provider to solve strategic problems and inspire teams. Designed by Valen and translated to physical environment by his team, the Blue Ocean environment adheres to best practice team cultural traits for innovation.

Job Titles:

• Senior Director, Innovation & Insights

Mike brings 30+ years of innovation and insights experience activating and leading growth strategies serving consumer packaged goods, healthcare, pharmaceuticals and B2B innovation teams. Influenced with a strong entrepreneurial spirit, Mike has extensive business experience in market research, new product development, marketing, brand/package design, and innovation/strategy consulting.  Mike consulted for major corporations including Procter & Gamble, Coca-Cola®, Georgia-Pacific®, Kao®, Mars®, General Mills®, Pfizer®, Equator-Design®, and with notable retailers such as Walmart®, Costco®, Target®, Sam's Club and Kroger®.  Mike attended the University of Cincinnati where he studied engineering and marketing.

Job Titles:

• Vice President, Innovation & Insights

Molly brings over 20 years' experience working with a diversified array of Procter & Gamble Global Brands including Pampers®, Luvs®, Charmin®, Oil of Olay®, Metamucil®, Align®, Pepto®, Folgers®, Jif®, and Pringles®. With roots in outside sales, Molly transitioned to lead strategic brand identity teams committed to growing P&G portfolio of brands, honing her client development, project management, and Brand & Marketing strategy skills.  Molly's expertise spans global consumer market research and global brand expansion, including opening a satellite office in Guangzhou, China. Molly graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Communications with a focus in Advertising from Loyola University of New Orleans. She then went on to pursue her Master of Business Administration at Thomas More College.