ABOUT

Executive Onboarding that De-Risks Leadership Transitions

Executive onramp, stakeholder alignment, and a 30/60/90 that sticks—without burning out the team.

ABOUT

Valerie C. Merriweather, MHA, MA

Founder & Chief Well-being Officer, Fitwell Solutions

I help organizations de-risk leadership transitions. My specialty is designing executive onboarding that turns the first 90 days into a clear pathway which includes early wins, aligned stakeholders, and a cadence that enhances culture and increases retention.



My work blends strategy, relationships, and what I call sustainable performance: practical habits that keep leaders and teams effective without burning out. Before founding Fitwell Solutions, I led regional wellness initiatives at Kaiser Permanente Northern California and worked with companies like Deloitte Consulting in the healthcare space. These experiences sharpened my lens on complex systems, high-stakes change, and what essential elements leaders need to thrive.

What I’m known for

  • Building executive onboarding playbooks (pre-boarding to Year One) that deliver measurable time-to-impact.


  • Facilitating manager/board alignment so expectations are explicit and consistent.



  • Streamlining ways of working such as communication, stakeholder engagement, and pacing so momentum continues even through change.

Credentials & Recognitions

  • MHA (The Ohio State University)
  • MA in Educational Technology (NC Central)
  • BS (Howard University).
  • National certifications in health coaching; Mental Health First Aid Instructor and Stress First Aid facilitator.
  • Recognized through the White House State of Women initiative for contributions to health and well-being. 

A few clients served

American Heart Association, Duke University, The Social Institute, Warner Bros. Discovery Communications, and the Durham Crisis Response Center

Bottom line: When leaders land well, teams win. If you’re hiring (or just hired) a senior leader, let’s give them a strong start to enable the results your organization deserves.

"When leaders land well, results and retention follow—from Day One."

Fitwell Solutions

Advisory Team

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Lily Chen

Lily Chen is a nationally certified Nurse Educator, passionate community organizer, mental health advocate, and mental health disparity researcher. She started her community work in the Chicago Chinese Community more than a decade ago, promoting public health and especially the underserved mental health needs. She successfully coordinated multiple national and local programs, including the UCA Youth Mental Health Collaborative WAVES (Wellness, Advocacy, Voices, Education, Support) since 2016. She served on steering committees of the 2016, 2018, and 2022 National Chinese American Conventions in her capacity as the former Executive Director of UCA, founding President of UCA Illinois Chapter, and Convention Director. She is a Robert Woods Johnson Foundation (RWJF) Clinical Scholar fellow, Principal Investigator, and Project Director for Mental Health First Aid Training in Chinese Americans (MHFA – CA) funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA and the US Department of Health and Human Services. She currently teaches at North Carolina Central University Department of Nursing and is a Ph.D. student in Nursing at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. She is Vice Chair of the Senior Advisory Board for the town of Cary, NC, and a member of the Health and Human Service Board of Wake County, NC. She is married with five wonderful adult children and a beautiful granddaughter. 



Lily Chen is the Project Director of the UCA WAVES Program and a UCA National Board member.

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Jenna Rogers

Jenna Rogers is what she defines as a ‘corprenuer’. She is the Head of Partnerships at Sales Assembly and the founder of Career Civility, a communications consulting firm. She’s on a mission to redefine communication in the workplace, and she specializes in the training + development of people processes, programs, and teams. She’s passionate about the people behind the bottom line, and you can find her providing tactical communication advice, selling sales training in the B2B tech world, and helping people communicate more effectively in the workplace.

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Kurt Merriweather

Kurt is an accomplished business leader and marketing executive passionate about helping organizations implement growth strategies. He co-founded The Diversity Movement and is a thought leader in building teams through integrating DEI and technology. Kurt has worked for global brands like Discovery, AOL, and Procter & Gamble. With over 20 years of experience, Kurt's approach to advising clients and developing strategy blends creative thinking and data analysis. He is an avid speaker, a workshop leader, and a patent holder. Kurt holds a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from The Ohio State University and an MBA from the Stanford Graduate School of Business.



Kurt advises startups through Google for Startups Black Founders Exchange and mentors students at UNC, SKEMA Business School, and NC State. He also serves on NC TECH’s Board of Advisors. 

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Deirdre Rushin

Deirdre Rushin is a seasoned professional in the insurance and financial solutions industry, with a demonstrated track record of success over the years. As the owner and driving force behind Imperial Insurance and Financial Solutions, Deirdre has built a reputation for delivering customized, high-quality insurance products that meet the unique needs of businesses, both domestically and internationally. Under her leadership, the company has undergone a significant transformation, evolving from a local property and casualty agency into a dynamic National/ international brokerage firm. This shift has allowed Imperial Insurance to expand offerings to address National and International consumers.


Deirdre’s knowledge of the insurance industry is both broad and deep, covering a variety of specialized fields. She has worked extensively with business owners, helping them navigate the often-complex world of insurance, risk management, and financial planning. She understands that each business is unique, which is why she takes a consultative approach to determine the best solutions for her clients. Her extensive expertise includes providing advice on property and casualty coverage as well as group worksite benefits. Additionally, her international experience has made her a go-to resource for businesses operating in multiple countries, particularly in the education and federal contracting sectors.