Valerie Khoo is an award-winning feature writer and the managing director of a writers centre. Since founding the centre, she has grown it from a one-person operation to a thriving centre featuring more than 30 of Australia's top writing trainers/journalists/authors. The centre has helped thousands of students get published, score book deals, change careers and improve their job prospects. The centre is a winner in the NSW Telstra Business Awards and it was named by Dell as one of the 10 most innovative small businesses in Australia.
With a passion for building online communities, Valerie has transformed the concept of the traditional cottage writers centre into a dynamic community of aspiring writers from all over the world. In addition to its flagship harbourside premises, thousands of students participate in courses which include creative writing, magazine writing, business writing, travel writing, novel writing, grammar and punctuation, media releases and much more.
Valerie is also an experienced journalist and small business commentator. With a Bachelor of Economics (majoring in accounting) and a Graduate Diploma in Communication (journalism, public relations), Valerie began her career at PricewaterhouseCoopers before joining a national public relations firm. She has worked at three major publishing houses - ACP Magazines, EMAP and Pacific Magazines - including three years in Singapore.
Valerie is also Ambassador of the Best Australian Blogs.
Testimonials
Valerie was simply 'inspired' as the moderator for our Meet The Entrepreneur hypothetical-style event. There was a heavy reliance on the moderator function to guide the group dynamic, and explore and delve into each of our panelists' backgrounds and talents. At the most basic level, she entertained us all, and steered debate into important quarters, while being humorous, informed and obviously very intelligent. A brilliant performance and her preparation shined through!
- Director, Centre for Innovation & Entrepreneurship, UNSW
Valerie Khoo is an inspiring and professional speaker who really knows how to engage an audience. She is able to impart lots of really useful information based on her
- Co-founder of the NSW Freelance Journalist's Network
I think Valerie is one of the best speakers I've come across so far.
- NSW President, Business and Professional Women Australia
