Valerie Doherty ’76
According to the National Association of Women Business Owners – Minnesota Chapter, Valerie Doherty ’76 was one of nine women inducted into the elite group of the Minnesota Women Business Owners Hall of Fame on May 1, 2018. The 2018 Inductees are amazing trailblazers who represent nearly 100 years of Minnesota history. They have overcome challenges and obstacles many thought impossible. Their business savvy and entrepreneurial successes have left a legacy that will impact Minnesota for years to come.
Doherty oversees the human resources, benefits, legal and risk management departments of Doherty Staffing Solutions and Dahl Consulting. In her role, she demonstrates a true passion for her profession and is always eager to embrace a new technology or resource.
Under her management and leadership, Doherty Staffing has also been listed as Working Woman Magazine’s 500 largest Women-Owned Businesses in the U.S., as well as the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal’s list of Largest Woman-Owned and Top 25 Woman-Owned Businesses in Minnesota. Doherty Staffing has also received the Minnesota Business Ethics Awards and was named a Star Tribune Top Workplace for four consecutive years.
Doherty was named the NAWBO Businesswoman of the Year; earned the 2008 St. Cloud State University College of Fine Arts & Humanities Leadership Award; and the University of Minnesota, Carlson School of Management’s Entrepreneur of the Year. She was also honored by the Minnesota Family Business Awards Committee as the Female Executive of the Year. Additionally, she earned a NAWBO Lifetime Achievement Award.
2018 Hall of Fame Inductees
- Mary Joe Copeland
- Cathy Cruz Gooch
- Valerie Doherty
- Linda J. Hartinger
- Robin Kocina
- Beth Leonard
- Nancy J. Libersky
- Kathlene Meyer
- Nelle Palmer
Some of these women blazed new trails in non-traditional industries such as manufacturing and financial services. Some built multi-million-dollar businesses in challenging economic time. All passed along their wisdom to their daughters and mentees to make a difference for generations to come.
Inductees were selected because they:
- Made enduring contributions to Minnesota’s entrepreneurial community
- Made an impact on women’s entrepreneurial development in Minnesota
- Had a meaningful connection to Minnesota (place of birth, education, and/or business location)
- Demonstrated leadership qualities or a spirit of entrepreneurial innovation that can serve as an inspiration to future generations of Minnesota entrepreneurs
