My name is Valerie Toney, and I’m the Head of Customs House Brokerage (CHB) Operations for the Southeast region of North America at Maersk. I’m based in Charlotte, North Carolina, and I’ve been with Maersk for over 19 years. I started as an Entry Writer, and today I lead a team of 32 people across the southeastern US states. What defines my time at Maersk is how I’ve grown, and how I now help others do the same.
Developing my career
When I joined Maersk, I was focused on doing my job well. I didn’t have a clear vision of where I could go but over the nine years I was in my role, I had two incredible managers who saw the potential in me that my fear of failure at the time had not allowed me to see for myself. They challenged me, coached me, and encouraged me to take the Customs Broker exam. I failed the first time, but they didn’t let me stop there. They believed in me, and that belief gave me the courage to try again, and pass.
Within a year of getting my broker’s license, I was promoted to Team Lead. Five years after that, I became a branch manager. Two years after that, I stepped into my current role as a Regional Manager. Each step came with new challenges, but also new opportunities to learn, grow, and lead.
Being a Maersk leader
Being a leader is where I’ve found my purpose. I’m a manager by title, but a leader at my core. To me, a leader inspires and motivates, focusing on the future and setting a vision, while a manager focuses on the present, planning and organizing to achieve specific objectives. I encourage my team to think beyond the day-to-day, to see their potential and take ownership of their development.
I strive to inspire colleagues to push forward with their career, look at what it takes to get to that next step in their career, and have those conversations with their leaders about setting a path to get there. It has been a highlight of my own career and time at Maersk to hire, teach, and develop people with no prior experience, and watch them grow into confident and passionate professionals. The opportunity each day to support the growth and development of someone else is what I enjoy most about my role. Just like how my managers helped me grow at Maersk, I do the same for them.
The Maersk way
Maersk has been the perfect environment for this kind of leadership where the support is very real. Whether it’s training, encouraging cross-functional moves, or providing tools like MyGrowth Roadmap to help chart a career path, Maersk invests in its people. I’ve seen it firsthand, not just for myself, but for my teams, too.
At Maersk, inclusion is more than a principle, it’s part of our everyday culture. Knowing I can apply for any role I’m interested in and be fairly considered reflects that commitment. What truly matters here is your capability, your drive, and your openness to collaborate. I’ve never felt defined by labels or assumptions. Instead, I’m empowered to grow, contribute, and thrive as my authentic self.
Over the years, I’ve faced challenges, in the form of tight deadlines, complex client needs, and transformation projects, but I’ve also gained confidence, resilience, and a deep sense of purpose. I’ve learned how to lead through change, how to communicate with impact, and how to build strong, lasting client relationships.
Maersk doesn’t just move cargo; they move people forward
Joining Maersk has been one of the most important and impactful decisions I’ve ever made. Maersk has really given me family and friends that I did not have, a sense of peace and a fulfilling career. Maersk doesn’t just move cargo; they move people forward in their careers.
I love this company. I love what it stands for. I’m proud of the career I’ve built here, from being someone with little self-confidence to becoming a manager that is empowered to lead and help others achieve their potential.
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