Valerie McGowan
Valerie McGowan is a Sundance award-winning executive producer who bridges entertainment and mission-driven work.
Over the past decade, she's worked on Emmy-nominated and Oscar-shortlisted documentaries for Netflix, Fox Searchlight, and major studios—most recently serving as faith engagement consultant for BEYOND UTOPIA (2024 Oscar shortlist, Emmy nomination) and strategic partnerships for THE ARMOR OF LIGHT (Emmy Award winner).
She learned what storytelling looks like at the highest level working with her mentor, Micheal Flaherty, who grossed $4 billion in box office during his tenure as Walden Media's co-founder and 15-year president. That same rigor now shapes how she helps mission-driven organizations tell their stories.
Through Birchwood Co., Valerie works with faith-based organizations, nonprofits, and values-driven companies navigating complex audiences — from evangelical to ecumenical, secular to faith-based —helping them reach beyond their traditional boundaries without losing their core identity. Her specialty is building authentic partnerships across theological, cultural, and generational divides.
She's a member of WIFVNE, WIF, and the Massachusetts Production Coalition.
Two Ways to Work with Valerie:
Film & Documentary Impact Campaigns - Grassroots engagement, strategic partnerships, faith community navigation
Organizational Storytelling (Birchwood Co.™) - Strategic positioning, content strategy, and creative leadership for mission-driven organizations
Valerie lives on the North Shore of Massachusetts with her husband and toddler. She is a graduate of Hamilton College (Clinton, NY).
Two Ways to Work with Valerie
FILM & DOCUMENTARY CAMPAIGNS
What I Do: I create strategic impact campaigns that connect your film with the communities it serves. This means:
Identifying authentic nonprofit, faith-based, and advocacy partnerships (not sponsor lists)
Building grassroots engagement strategies beyond social media
Navigating theological and cultural nuance for faith-adjacent content
Creating discussion materials and community screening programs
Cultivating earned media through organizational allies
Who This Serves: Filmmakers and studios with documentaries or features that need authentic community engagement, particularly projects exploring faith, justice, or values-driven themes.
Recent Projects: BEYOND UTOPIA (Oscar shortlist), THE ARMOR OF LIGHT (Emmy winner), THE TIGER RISING, STEP (Sundance Grand Jury Prize)
ORGANIZATIONAL STORYTELLING (Birchwood Co.™)
What We Do: Through Birchwood Co.™ we provide strategic storytelling partnership for mission-driven organizations navigating complex audiences. Services include:
Message alignment and strategic positioning
Content strategy and brand storytelling
Navigating theological, cultural, or generational divides
Video production with entertainment-industry standards
Fractional creative leadership (ongoing strategic partnership)
Who This Serves: Faith-based organizations, nonprofits, and values-driven companies ready to expand their reach while maintaining mission integrity. Particularly strong with organizations navigating sacred/secular tensions or denominational complexity.
Typical Engagements: 4-12 week foundation work or 3-6 month strategic partnerships
Learn more about Birchwood Co.™ → www.birchwood.co
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