WETF member Valerie Dwyer elected Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts
Women’s Enterprise Task Force member Valerie Dwyer has been elected an international Fellow of the RSA - Royal Society of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce.
Managing Director of Valerie Dwyer Group/Strategic Insight, Business Development Agency; founder of My Wonderful Life Coach™, coaching and mentoring agency; co-founder of social enterprise Entrepreneurs Ladder, Valerie is serial entrepreneur, coach, mentor and business development specialist with over two thousand aspiring entrepreneurs, author, highly regarded inspirational speaker and Global Champion for Women’s Enterprise.
Previously emda Board Member Lead on both Economic Growth, Energy and Environment and Women’s Enterprise, Valerie’s entrepreneurial career is peppered with leadership roles:- Chair of East Midlands Strategic Advisory Group on Women’s Enterprise; Chair of Leicestershire Learning & Skills Council; Chair of Rushcliffe Local Strategic Partnership; President of Nottinghamshire Chamber of Commerce; Board Member of The Prince’s Trust and Judge of Awards from ‘Women of Worth’ to ‘Women of Achievement’, ‘Young Enterprise’, ‘Shell Livewire’ and East Midlands Universities Association Best Business Plan Awards.
The RSA say that this election recognises Valerie’s distinguished career as an entrepreneur, mentor and speaker and acknowledges her significant contribution to encouraging women in business, locally, regionally, nationally and internationally. News of her diverse achievements, including her community contributions and inspirational speaking, came to the attention of the RSA in-house research team who seek out potential Fellows who are innovative, engaged, accomplished and creative.
Valerie said: “I am delighted to become a Fellow of the RSA and to join so many distinguished achievers who are working to change the world. I intend to be an active Fellow, continuing to champion women and women’s enterprise, encourage people to achieve their potential and progress my work on Vision, for increased economic equality and sustainability”.
Fellows include experts in science, ethics and environment; leaders in commercial, voluntary and public sectors; innovative social entrepreneurs, people such as Tim Smit, founder of the Eden Project; Andy Powell, Chief Executive of Edge and Luke Johnson, Chairman of Channel 4 TV.
The RSA, founded in 1754, is the cradle of enlightenment thinking, to encourage enterprise and be a force for social progress. In 1770 they launched the first environmental awards to encourage the reduction of smoke emissions. Many mature trees that we enjoy today result from their pioneering tree planting campaign in 1806.
In 1872 they appointed a committee to improve girls’ education More recently they have been instrumental in ‘Tomorrow’s Company’ exploring sustainable business success; ‘Opening Minds’ to re-think the school curriculum; ‘Design Directions’ student awards; ‘Adelphi Charter on Creativity, Innovation and Intellectual Property’; ‘Arts and Ecology’; ‘RSA Drugs Commission Report’ and the ‘Tipton Academy’.
The RSA approach is multi-disciplinary, politically independent and combines cutting edge research and policy development with practical action. Their latest publication about the RSA Fellowship is entitled: “We know you want to change the world, but where on earth do you begin?” www.theRSA.org Valerie can be reached at info@mywonderfullifecoach.co.uk