Meet Dr. Valeria Edmonds | Leadership Coach & Consultant

We had the good fortune of connecting with Dr. Valeria Edmonds and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dr. Valeria, maybe we can start at the very start – the idea – how did you come up with the idea for your business?
Over the years, my passion for mentoring and sharing my knowledge evolved into coaching. When I got my coaching certification in 2012, I knew I wanted my practice to be a combination of working to help people succeed in their professional, personal, and spiritual goals. This led me to the name of Masterful You, which speaks to the art of mastery as well as being full of the Master of all things. Once I retired, my business expanded to coaching and consulting with individuals and teams to help leaders thrive. Because mastery results from repetitious obedience, my business focuses on establishing practices that help leaders become the best versions of themselves.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
After more than three decades as a global HR leader with a major energy company, I founded Masterful You LLC to bring my deep expertise in leadership, organizational development, and change management to a broader audience. Throughout my career, I partnered with leaders—from front-line supervisors to C-suite executives—to design and execute people strategies aligned with business goals and delivered results.

My work spanned operating environments, corporate headquarters, and international assignments, including time in Qatar collaborating with professionals from diverse cultural backgrounds. These experiences sharpened my emotional intelligence, intercultural competence, and ability to guide organizations through complexity and change.

Having navigated eight relocations, led as a single parent, and steered through mergers, downsizing, and restructuring, I’ve lived the challenges of transformation—both personal and organizational. That experience fuels my passion for helping others adapt, grow, and lead with intention.

I bring a seasoned, empathetic, and strategic approach to coaching and consulting at Masterful You. My superpower is stepping into any organization, quickly diagnosing what’s holding leaders and teams back, and co-creating strategies to move forward with clarity and confidence. This is what the Masterful You brand is all about—empowering leaders to unlock their full potential and lead masterfully through any challenge.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Houston is huge and super diverse, so I would want to give my best friend a little taste of everything it has to offer. I’m a foodie, so I’d want them to experience the amazing food, local culture, and some Afro-centric flavor. Here’s what I’m thinking:

Day 1 – They will probably be hungry when she gets in, so start with a hearty meal at Alfreda’s Soul Food in the Third Ward. This spot has been serving up classics like smothered oxtails and shrimp & grits for over 50 years. After we eat, we’ll walk it off at Buffalo Bayou Park. For dinner, we can eat at Lucille’s in the Museum District. This place offers upscale Southern dishes like fried chicken and their featured shrimp and grits, which is the Chef’s great-grandmother’s recipe. ​
That evening, we can enjoy wine flights at Trez Bistro & Wine Bar in Midtown.

Day 2—We’ll kick things off with pastries and coffee at Common Bond—it’s always packed. Then we’ll hit the Museum District. We can visit the Holocaust Museum, which is truly moving. We’ll head to Asiatown for lunch and eat at Crawfish & Noodles, a Vietnamese—Cajun fusion restaurant. It’s got a whole vibe. In the evening, we can catch a play at The Alley Theatre or just find live music downtown. Then have a drink at High & Dry, a rooftop bar with skyline views.

Day 3 – We’re going further south to Kemah or Galveston. Depends on our mood and my energy to deal with the traffic on I-45. On the way back, we’ll stop at Ninfa’s on Navigation, which is basically where they invented fajitas. I can’t let her leave Houston without having some Tex-Mex. We can stop in the Galleria on the way back and do a little shopping. Then for dinner, we’ll head to JOEY Uptown, where they have the best hummus and lettuce wraps. At this hour, it’s all you need.

Day 4—We would sleep in and then head to Mo’ Better Brews in the Museum District for brunch. It’s Houston’s first Black-owned vegan coffee shop, offering soulful vegan waffles and breakfast tacos brewed with coffee from Black-owned roaster Three Keys Coffee. ​Afterward, we would visit Kindred Stories in the Third Ward. This independent bookstore specializes in contemporary and classic Black literature, hosting regular events and workshops. ​Later, we can dine at Mico’s Hot Chicken in Midtown. This is a Black-owned eatery that serves Nashville-style hot chicken with a Houston twist.
If she still has energy, we can relax with a nightcap at The Flat in Midtown. This is a laid-back lounge with a great DJ. ​

Day 5 – I’d take her on a scenic drive to Bernhardt Winery in Plantersville, just off I-10. We can enjoy wine tastings in a picturesque setting, perfect for savoring local flavors.​ For lunch, we’d try the winery’s bistro. I haven’t eaten there but they serve local cheeses and charcuterie to complement the wines. We can explore the winery’s grounds, participate in a guided tour, or relax with a glass of wine overlooking the vineyards.​ It would be a chill day and we would head back to the city in the late afternoon.​ I’d take her to Gatlin’s BBQ in the Heights for dinner. This is a Black-owned establishment renowned for its smoked meats.

Day 6 -I’d start the day with a late breakfast at Cupcake Kitchen in the Third Ward, which is known for its chicken and waffles. They have good shrimp and grits too. That afternoon, we can unwind at B. Elevated Candle Bar in CityCentre. Where we can create our own custom-scented candles in a luxurious and relaxing environment. Then we can visit BLCK Market at East River Houston. There we can browse various products from Black-owned businesses, including fashion, art, and food and then experience upscale dining at FRNDS in Rice Village. This is a trendy restaurant and lounge that offers a fusion of international flavors, crafted cocktails, and a chic ambiance.

Day 7—We’d spend the last day relaxing in the suburbs at my place by the pool with mimosas and then go to Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen. It’s an oldie but goodie. Afterward, we’d be on the way to the airport.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’d like to send a shout out to my adult children, who inspire and challenge me every day. Rachael and Russell Edmonds support and encourage me in my professional pursuits. They provide constructive feedback and fresh perspectives on what its like for the next generation of aspiring leaders. I would not be who I am today without them.

Website: https://linktr.ee/valeriaedmonds

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