Valaise Smith, EA, brings more than 20 years of experience in financial analysis, compliance, operations, and small business advisory to her role as Lending Operations Analyst at Michigan Women Forward. She works to strengthen the lending pipeline by assessing financial readiness, identifying potential risks and documentation gaps, and helping ensure entrepreneurs are connected to the appropriate pathway toward capital.

Prior to joining Michigan Women Forward, Valaise held senior leadership and compliance roles in the financial services and healthcare industries, including serving as Chief Administrative Officer and Chief Compliance Officer for an investment advisory firm managing more than $1 billion in assets. She is also the founder of Tried and True Financial Services, where she has helped entrepreneurs strengthen their financial systems, improve financial clarity, and prepare for sustainable growth.

Valaise holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance from Davenport University and is an Enrolled Agent authorized to represent taxpayers before the IRS throughout the 50 United States. She is also the author of Bookkeeping for Business Owners: Gaining Clarity and Confidence Without the Overwhelm.

When Valaise is not cheering for small business owners, she enjoys spending time with her family and riding her Harley-Davidson Softail Heritage.