	The Women's Forum of North Carolina, Inc.

2006 Young Adult Leadership Award Results

Each year since 1987, the Women's Forum has honored a young North Carolinian between the ages of 18 and 35, who has demonstrated leadership in improving the lives of North Carolinians, especially female. The Forum is pleased to announce 2005 YALA finalists and the award recipient. Congratulations to all of these exceptional young women.

More about the awards.

YALA Winner for 2006

Valerie K. Fields is the CEO and founder of V. K. Fields & Company, a Public Relations, Marketing and Copywriting Firm. Valerie attributes the success of her company and professional career to faith, perseverance, and an intelligent, innovative, and committed team that embraces a single vision for success by serving others. She actively serves and assists the people within her community, understanding the importance of civic and social duty along with economic development and growth.

Valerie established and prevailed in leading a winning team in business. She is the founder of Miracle Ministries, an organization with an aggressive outreach focus which includes evangelism (domestic and international), domestic violence and abuse (victims, survivors, and abusers), counseling and support, youth training & education, marriage & family counseling publication, publishing and conferences division and small business development and professional development. She is an author that addresses the relationship and choices of Christian singles, but the book is not only for the Christian audience but also for anyone who has ever had to make a choice between a want and a need. She established the signature Millionaires in Training (MiT), a youth entrepreneurial program that teaches and prepares young students to become business professionals and business owners. The MiT program is sponsored by Miracle Ministries, a local non-profit organization also founded by Valerie. The overall objective for MiT is to prepare and train future entrepreneurs for the professional workforce and introduce them to basic business concepts through the development of mock businesses, which they develop, professional networking opportunities, field trips, and in-house computer training and business seminars presented by successful business leaders. This program targeted adolescent girls 12-15 years old but due to the success of the MiT program now includes adolescent boys. The program has graduated three business teams and is currently in its fourth semester.

Valerie was honored for outstanding service and received the Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce's prestigious Pinnacle Business Award on May 17, 2005. She has received several business rewards, spoken at numerous business seminars and conferences, joined and actively supports a leadership and mentoring organization for Christian business professionals, and participates in the Meals-on-Wheels program as a weekly volunteer delivery driver.

YALA Committee
Jo Ann Norris , Chair

The Women's Forum is an invitational, non-partisan organization of diverse women leaders of proven influence dedicated to working together to achieve equality and maintain social, economic and political power for women.

Last modified:
15-Nov-2006