Women’s Public Leadership Network is excited to launch a new series called Leadership Spotlight, where we interview top leaders around the country in different types of positions. 

Through our Leadership Spotlight series, women share their stories of how they formulated their leadership journey, got to where they are, and faced different challenges. They also share some tips of the trade for those who want to enter a similar field or be a leader in their space. 

As Vice Chair Valerie Dowling said, WPLN’s mission is “to build a pipeline of public servants with purpose.” WPLN also provides resources, like this, to prepare them.

We are excited to feature Valerie in our first Leadership Spotlight, hosted by Larissa Martinez, WPLN Co-Founder and President. Valerie serves as the Director of the Women's Democracy Network at the International Republican Institute. 

Valerie’s job is to help women get involved in the political and civic life of their countries all around the world. She says, “My story is kind of what I describe as an accidental discovery of my passion.” 

Here is Valerie’s story:

“I got bit by the political bug back in high school, and so I always knew I wanted to work in politics. I don't think I understood what the job opportunities looked like or how to get there, so I just started trying out different things. I volunteered on a Senate campaign. I interned with my local solicitor’s office, and then I applied for internships. And so that really opened the door to bringing me to Washington, DC. 

I spent the first ten years of my career in the domestic political process. I worked in a lot of different vantage points, from the White House to presidential campaigns to a political party. And through each of those positions, I built relationships which opened doors that led me to my current role.”

Valerie worked for First Lady Laura Bush in President George W. Bush’s administration. Then she embarked on a path to get more women involved in politics — working on Mitt Romney’s presidential campaign in 2012, at the Republican National Committee (RNC), and for a grassroots women’s organization. 

Then, her colleague from the Bush administration introduced her to a new organization that IRI was creating, Women's Democracy Network, that connects women to one another and helps them build the skills they need to move into political leadership positions around the world.

Valerie is a true servant leader. She says she learned the value of the service aspect of public service in the Bush administration: “The mantra around being part of his team was always that we are there to serve.”

As Valerie explains, “It's not about us as individuals, but it's about what we're working towards.”

She credits trust as being absolutely essential to one’s leadership journey, and notes how important it is to build strong relationships, to be kind, and to be respectful. 

“I think it's important to build relationships with people who don't think like you, who don't necessarily come from the same background or experience. I think those are really important to build and stretch you, and help you to understand the world around you and that it isn't exactly like you've experienced it.”

While these may seem like basic concepts, they are more essential now than ever, as we work to restore civility and respect in these divisive times.

Valerie closed out with some incredible advice to those we hope to bring into the pipeline:

“Don't be afraid to jump into the arena. The world needs you and what you can bring to the table.”

Check out the full video of our January Leadership Spotlight here.