ABOUT

Well-being Champion and Culture-Builder for Teams and Leaders

ABOUT ME

Valerie C. Merriweather, MHA, MA

Founder & Chief Well-being Officer

Valerie Merriweather is a dynamic health and well-being speaker and workshop leader who empowers organizations and busy professionals to reimagine well-being as a path to productivity, performance, and balanced living. With a deep understanding of today’s workplace challenges, Valerie offers actionable insights and innovative strategies that help teams improve resilience, manage stress, and foster sustainable work-life harmony. Blending research with practical advice, Valerie helps audiences recognize the value of prioritizing well-being to drive professional success, increase energy levels, and cultivate a positive workplace culture.

Qualifications:

  • MHA - Masters of Health Administration
  • MA - Masters in Educational Technology 

Valerie Merriweather is the Founder and Chief Well-being Officer of Fitwell Solutions. With more than 20 years of experience in health education and consulting, she has a strong track record for delivering transformative and innovative programs designed to improve the health and well-being of organizations and enhance productivity to find purpose in work and life. Before launching Fitwell Solutions, Ms. Merriweather was instrumental in leading wellness initiatives at Kaiser Permanente Northern California region, one of the largest HMOs in the country, supporting 300,000 members. She worked as a healthcare consultant for Deloitte Consulting and works with organizations nationwide to promote a healthy work environment and high-performing teams there. Fitwell Solution’s clients include the American Health Association, Duke University, The Social Institute, and Warner Brothers Discovery Communications, where she served on the leadership team for their annual “Take Your Kid to Work Day” event. A native of Riverside, California, Ms. Merriweather received a Bachelor of Science in Radiation Therapy from Howard University, a Master of Health Administration from The Ohio State University, and a Master of Educational Technology from NC Central University. She holds nationally recognized health coaching certifications from the National Academy of Sports Medicine and the American Council on Exercise. Additionally, Ms. Merriweather is a certified Mental Health First Aid Instructor and Stress First Aid facilitator. Fitwell Solutions has been recognized by the Obama Administration's White House State of Women and her community for its accomplishments and contributions to health and well-being. 

“Employee well-being is good business 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.