Valerie Taylor

Valerie Taylor is a seasoned insurance expert with over 16 years of experience in the industry, but her contributions extend far beyond the realm of insurance. With a distinctive passion for serving specialized insurance niches in cannabis, real estate, and community associations (HOA), Valerie has honed her skills and knowledge while working with both wholesale and retail companies like McDermott Costa Insurance Brokers, AmWINS Group, Inc., and Colemont Insurance Brokers.

In her relentless pursuit of assisting clients in navigating the complex world of insurance, Valerie has developed a deep appreciation for the value of insuring businesses. Her commitment to the industry is demonstrated through her active involvement with the National Cannabis Bar Association (NCBA) and her participation in the National Cannabis Industry Association’s (NCIA) State Regulations Committee, where she collaborates and contributes thought leadership, helping shape the cannabis landscape.

Valerie’s dedication to sharing her expertise goes beyond professional circles. She serves as a board member and is actively engaged on the finance committee of the Center for Domestic Peace in Marin County, a noble organization dedicated to ending domestic violence in the community. Through her involvement with this organization, she actively contributes to creating a safer and more harmonious environment for those affected by domestic violence.

Additionally, Valerie is deeply committed to fostering connections and opportunities for growth within the commercial real estate sector. As the Commercial Real Estate Women (CREW) East Bay Chair on the Programs Committee, and recently appointed as the 2024 Director of Programs Board Member, she plays a crucial role in nurturing relationships and implementing programs and events that align with uplifting and empowering women in commercial real estate.

Valerie’s passion for helping people is not limited to her professional life — it is also evident in her volunteer work with the Richmond Grows Seed Lending Library. Here, she teaches people how to save vegetable seeds and cultivate their own food, empowering them with valuable skills for sustainable living.

Her outstanding achievements have not gone unnoticed. Valerie was honored with the prestigious CREW East Bay Connections Award in both 2021 and 2022 and was nominated for the Elevate 2021 Industry Impact award, recognizing her exceptional contributions to her field. Notably, in 2023, Valerie made history by becoming the first-ever insurance professional to be awarded the Cannabis Insurance Coverage Specialist (CICS) designation.

Rooted in her genuine love for helping people, Valerie draws on her personal connection to the plant medicine industry, having grown up surrounded by cultivators and sellers. This unique perspective allows her to empathize with her clients’ needs and tailor insurance solutions to their specific business requirements.

Valerie’s ultimate mission is to revolutionize the way insurance and cannabis collaborate and give back to the community she holds dear. With her profound insurance background and extensive knowledge of the cannabis industry, she has earned the trust of over 70 cannabis clients, establishing herself as a reliable and respected advisor in the field. Through her multifaceted contributions to her profession, community, and causes close to her heart, Valerie Taylor exemplifies the true spirit of a dedicated and compassionate leader.