Valerie Soll has been a textile conservator at the Cathedral of Saint John the Divine for the past 20 years. She is an adjunct assistant professor in the Fashion and Textile Studies graduate program at the Fashion Institute of Technology where she teaches collections management and basic conservation courses. With a background in dyeing and reweaving, Valerie has also taught conservation dye courses and rug workshops for FIT’s advanced conservation students. She is a Professional Associate of the American Institute for Conservation, and has been an instructor in an AIC sponsored Preventive Conservation workshop on Ossabaw Island, GA. Valerie received her BA from University of Oregon and her special training in rug restoration in Ankara, Turkey. Valerie is also on the board of the Look and Listen Festival and a team leader for a New York Cares reading program.