I’ve had a love for cars as far back as I can remember. I grew up in Toronto, where my dad owned his own mechanic shop, and I was always helping him with his latest project. I took apart my first engine at age 7 and it snowballed from there. Working in my dad’s shop made me realize how much I liked working on cars…and I didn’t want to stop. I even married the host of car TV! Oh, and as a fun trivia fact, I was featured on the pilot episode of TLC’s Overhaulin’ where I worked on a Chevrolet Chevelle SS. I was only featured for a split-second, but hey, I’ll take it. It was the chance of a lifetime.
I went to school at the University of Western Ontario in London 
where I studied mechanical engineering. Prior to joining GM, I worked for MAGNA Powertrain in Toronto within the engine cooling group. At the time, they were trying to get into the electric water pump market, so my job was to study fuel cell and hybrid cooling to help them design pumps. This experience helped me land my initial job at GM within the hybrid group. For the first three years, I worked on hybrid controls, that is, until the idea of the Chevrolet Volt came to fruition.
For the last two years, I’ve been working on the Volt within the development and validation group. What does that mean? Well, basically, I get to travel a lot! This position requires a great deal of vehicle testing – whether in our wind tunnel or on the road. In fact, I just returned fr
om Death Valley (my third visit in the past 3 months!) where we tested the vehicles performance in extreme temperatures. My job was to make sure the electric motors weren’t overheating and that the cooling systems were working properly. Based on our tests, which were repeated multiple times, we made calibration changes to help refine the system. As you can imagine, it’s an exciting job and you never know what’s going to happen.
When I’m not working, you’ll probably find me wakeboarding, playing hockey or snowboarding…that is when I’m not hitting the books, studying up to earn my MBA from the University of Michigan-Dearborn.
Working on a project that’s as innovative and ground-breaking as the Chevrolet Volt has made me realize how truly lucky I am to work in a job I love.
Sounds like a dream job.
Keep it up and wishing all the success in the world. Have had an opportunity to see the VOLT first hand at CREC – great technology ! Drop in and see us in Oshawa the next time you are in the area.
Keep it up and wishing you all the success in the world. Have had an opportunity to see the VOLT first hand at CREC – great technology ! Drop in and see us in Oshawa the next time you are in the area.
You are great, GM. needs people like you. What an inspiration for others. Stay loyal.
Wow!!! What a job. You are a role model for all women both young and old. I hope young women in high school and college see your message and they can use your experiences as a basline for what is possible for them to achieve.
I just happen to have the pleasure of working with Valerie on the Chevrolet Volt. Testing into the Wee hours of the night or driving in Death Valley California. Its been quite a journey and so rewarding to be part of the next generation of cars. Keep up the great work Val!
Great blog, Val!!! I didn’t know you were getting your hands dirty from such an early age!!! Miss seeing you – hope all is well!!!
I work for GM and saw this article in the eNewsline. I didn’t know that you were also in my BPS 535 class, too! Can’t wait to introduce myself in class Monday.
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