Outcomes matter.
Start with the end in mind.
Strategic Advising for Workforce Development and Economic Opportunity
Hi there!
I'm Jessica Valand, founder of Veikart Advising.
Veikart Advising is a boutique consulting practice providing strategic advising, research, and practical technical assistance to organizations working to expand economic opportunity. I partner with nonprofits, chambers of commerce, workforce practitioners, community-based organizations, education providers, and philanthropic partners to assess local labor market conditions, strengthen program design, and align services to evidence-based practices and meaningful economic outcomes.
My approach is pragmatic and data-informed, shaped by more than 20 years of experience in workforce development, human services, and economic mobility. Veikart Advising offers targeted, independent support to help communities better understand their economic landscape and design solutions that improve outcomes, by starting with the end in mind.
Services
Labor Market & Policy Research
Custom analysis of economic mobility indicators, workforce trends, and public program performance using public data sources.
Program Design & Evaluation
Support in developing, aligning, or evaluating workforce and training programs to ensure they reflect evidence-based practices and local needs.
Strategy Development & Advising
Advisory services to inform strategic planning, policy design, and systems alignment across cross-sector initiatives.
Stakeholder Facilitation & Partnership Building
Support for convening and aligning partners across education, workforce, human services, and economic development systems.
About me
I am a senior advisor and systems thinker with more than two decades of experience in workforce development, human services, career training, and economic mobility. I help organizations understand complex systems, use data effectively, and design strategies that lead to clear, measurable results.
My background includes administering and evaluating economic mobility programs, designing technical assistance initiatives, managing philanthropic investments, and supporting cross-sector partnerships focused on jobs, wages, and long-term outcomes. I hold a graduate degree in Development Economics from the University of Denver and bring a grounded understanding of how policy, operations, funding, and data interact in real settings.
Through Veikart Advising, I focus on supporting local and regional organizations—including nonprofits, education providers, economic developers, and chambers—seeking practical, evidence-informed approaches to improve services and align their work to meaningful outcomes.
I am committed to helping mission-driven organizations turn ideas into implementation and strengthen the systems that expand opportunity for the people they serve.