Valerie Harper
About Valerie Harper
Valerie Harper serves as the Head of APAC and EMEA at Spencer Stuart, where she focuses on senior leadership searches and risk management in financial services. She has extensive experience in investment management, having previously held senior roles at Goldman Sachs and as Chief Investment Officer for the State of Oklahoma.
Current Role at Spencer Stuart
Valerie Harper serves as the Head of APAC and EMEA at Spencer Stuart, a position she has held since 2021. In this role, she focuses on search work for senior leadership positions, including CEOs, CIOs, asset class heads, portfolio managers, analysts, and compliance executives. Harper also coordinates the firm's risk management specialty across financial services, leveraging her extensive experience in the industry.
Previous Experience at Spencer Stuart
Prior to her current role, Valerie Harper worked at Spencer Stuart for a total of 24 years. She served as Chief Financial Officer from 2015 to 2021 and as a Consultant from 1997 to 2015. During her tenure, she managed the Stamford office and contributed to the Asset Management Practice as a senior consultant.
Educational Background
Valerie Harper graduated summa cum laude from Georgetown University with a Bachelor of Arts in Government, where she was the valedictorian of her class. She later attended Harvard Business School, earning a Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) from 1984 to 1986.
Career in Investment Banking
Valerie Harper began her career in investment banking as an analyst at Morgan Stanley & Co. She spent eight years at Goldman Sachs, where she worked in the equities division, focusing on marketing research and private placements to institutional investors and hedge funds. Additionally, she served as the chief investment officer for the State of Oklahoma, managing a $1.9 billion portfolio of fixed income investments.
Experience at Goldman Sachs
At Goldman Sachs, Valerie Harper joined shortly after the firm's Asset Management division was formed. She was involved in selling equity and fixed income products to pension fund consultants and plan sponsors, contributing to the growth and development of the firm's investment offerings.