You're tired of settling and ready to step into the career you envision — without overworking.
Hi, I'm Valissa.
With my signature three-step framework, corporate mid-career women are creating career outcomes they desire and deserve.
Women in banking, payments and fintech come to me when they are tired of settling for less than they want in their professional and personal life.
Like them, you will learn it’s possible to pull back from what no longer serves you and zone in on the right places to ramp up your value, voice and visibility—leading to a more fulfilling, impactful and rewarding career.
Want to know more?
7 Strategies to Be Heard & Recognized at Work
Explore seven communication strategies to optimize the impact of your daily interactions. This guide isn’t about what you’re doing wrong. Instead, it is about what’s within your power. You can create the career outcomes you deserve without sacrificing your well-being.
FEATURES
I’m guessing you’re here because you’re tired of settling when it comes to your career and the impact you want to make in your life and your organization.
You’re ready to create the life and career you want.
Excellent! I'm with you.
Let’s start with where you are.
Chances are you feel one or more of the following:
Unfulfilled
You feel stuck, discontented, or overwhelmed at work. You may not even understand why or what to do about it.
Underestimated
You’re told you do a great job. However, you feel you’re not taken seriously or considered for meaningful career growth opportunities.
Undervalued
You deliver results. You go above and beyond. Yet, you’ve been overlooked for promotion or adequate recognition.
Right now, which best describes how you are feeling about your career?
Hear this. You are not alone.
You may be thinking, “How do you know that, Valissa?”
Besides observing, staying current about the state of women in the workplace, and helping my clients overcome these challenges, I’ve lived it.
I’ve been where you are.
There is nothing more powerful than a woman determined to rise.
Several years ago, I hit a mid-career plateau, and had no idea why. I call it my “mid-career crisis”. I felt stuck until I learned key strategies that led to three promotions in five years.
I am compelled to share those same strategies with you.
You are ready to take charge and become the CEO of your career.
You just need a little help.
Guess what?
All CEOs have a team.
Consider me a guide.
Together, we will create a plan to get you from where you are to where you want to be in your career with a proven framework.
The SCG Proven 3-Part Process
I.A.M. CAREER FRAMEWORK
Insight
Get clear on your value, what you want and why. Also, gain mindset and reflection tools to identify and navigate blind spots, barriers and opportunities in four areas to achieve what you desire.
Action
Reach your career vision without overworking. As you explore six key areas for success. learn how to align your effort, talent and expertise for high impact, higher visibility and a greater reward.
Momentum
Move toward your vision with intention and urgency using a personalized playbook we co-create for your unique goals and circumstances.
Promotion or raise
New home or car
First vacation in years
Finding joy in your work
Building
generational wealth
Reclaiming time for what matters most
Greater confidence, influence, and impact
Avoid the same mistakes I made.
Don't:
- Accept less influence and impact than you're capable of
- Stick with the same old career strategy that isn't working
- Say "yes" to every project to prove your value
- Sacrifice what matters outside of your career
- Stay unfulfilled or stuck for another year
- Just let your work "speak for itself"
- Go it alone
There is a better way.
Work With Me
Start Transforming Your Career Journey Today
Standout Career
Accelerator
This program is a LIVE online 8-week interactive coaching and mentoring series with mid-career women in banking, payments, and fintech striving to achieve their version of career and leadership success in a supportive group coaching experience.
Walk away with renewed clarity, courage, confidence, and a roadmap to get from where you are to where you want to be.
Here's what is included:
- 1:1 program discovery call
- Program pre-work
- Eight weekly virtual 60-minute sessions
- Eight program videos
- Assessment & Debrief
- Course materials & resources
- Weekly coursework
- Unlimited private chat community during program
- Digital access to Coach between sessions
- Chart Your Path to Success Reflective Journal
- Personalized Chart Your Path to Success Roadmap
- 30-day post-program session
This is good for you if...
- You want to expand your professional network and thrive in a group learning environment.
- You feel stuck, unfulfilled, underestimated or undervalued in your career.
- You are unclear about your career path or vision.
- You are struggling to advance in your career.
- You doubt you're seen as an exceptional and next level leader.
- You are committed to your personal and professional development.
- You are coachable, accountable, and willing to step outside your comfort zone to achieve your goals.
This is NOT good for you if...
- You are seeking job search strategies.
- You are early in your career (less than 10 years).
- You cannot invest time in fulfilling the requirements.
- You are not coachable, accountable, and willing to step outside your comfort zone to achieve your goals.
1:1 MVP
Coaching
This LIVE online 1:1 coaching program is for mid-career women in banking, payments, and fintech striving to achieve their version of career and leadership success and desire a more personalized experience.
Walk away with renewed clarity, courage, confidence, and a roadmap to get from where you are to where you want to be.
Here's what is included:
- Bi-weekly virtual 60-minute session packages available
- Twenty-minute discovery call
- Three-minute pre-call questionnaire
- Hybrid virtual and in-person option for local clients
- Assessment & Debrief
- Development resources & assignments (Based on goals)
- Digital access to Coach between sessions
- Chart Your Path to Success Reflective Journal
- Personalized Chart Your Path to Success Roadmap
This is good for you if...
- You feel stuck, unfulfilled, underestimated or undervalued in your career.
- You are unclear about your career path or vision.
- You are struggling to advance in your career.
- You doubt you're seen as an exceptional and next level leader.
- You are committed to your personal and professional development.
- You are coachable, accountable, and willing to step outside your comfort zone to achieve your goals.
This is NOT good for you if...
- You are seeking job search strategies.
- You are early in your career (less than 10 years).
- You cannot invest time in fulfilling the requirements.
- You are not coachable, accountable, and willing to step outside your comfort zone to achieve your goals.
You’re ambitious, intelligent and talented, and might be thinking...
What’s it like to work with a coach?
I can reach my goals on my own.
What is the time commitment for coaching?
I can’t afford coaching.
Coaching is an investment in yourself when your employer doesn’t offer support currently.
What is the cost of achieving your goals later versus sooner? What would be the benefit of achieving your goals sooner?
Payment plans and session packages make the investment more manageable.
What Clients Are Saying:
Gained clarity, confidence and a strategy to move forward in her career
I’ve gained insight and confidence I haven’t had in a long time.”
I chose this program because I needed to know why I wasn’t getting to the next level. The tools introduced helped me gain much needed insight. Valissa empowers and equips you to your fullest potential. I’ve gained insight and confidence I haven’t had in a long time. This course is worth the monetary value and time spent. Self-development is self-care!
- Tanishia, AVP Branch Manager
Went from Manager to Director to Vice President level within 12 months of completing the accelerator program
…it worked for me and was worth the investment in myself.”
My main goal of attending was to build confidence. I can confidently say that I have grown my confidence level and it hasn’t gone unnoticed by my peers and leadership. Valissa’s Standout Career Accelerator (SCA) Program was my ticket, it worked for me and was worth the investment in myself. Since completing it, I have received a promotion and much of that wouldn’t be possible without Valissa and her program. I would and have HIGHLY recommended her mentorship and program to everyone who has a desire to grow professionally or personally.
- Lacey, VP of Customer Experience
Went from a job where she felt stuck to a career she loves
I have now begun to feel that I am worthy.”
Before working with Valissa, my confidence was depleting as I couldn’t get any movement on my own. I started to feel stuck where I was. I was doing what I thought were all the right things. But working with Valissa has taught me to take ownership of my career. I have now begun to feel that I am worthy. I would tell people (in which I have already began to talk with someone about Valissa) that her services are professional, organized, and produce results.
- Keri, Operations Coordinator
Gained career clarity and transitioned to a role that aligns with her core values: faith, family and community
There is no one better to lead you through the process other than Valissa.”
Before working with Valissa, I was trying to identify who I was and what I wanted to do with my career. I struggled to update my resume unable to adequately convey my strengths and goals. I can share what I have accomplished and what I can bring to the table with Valissa’s unique ability to guide me through effective self-evaluation and identifying how to get to where I want to be. There is no one better to lead you through the process other than Valissa. Thank you Valissa for the impact that you have made on my life and my career.
- Jackee, Systems Consultant
Went from Supervisor to Manager within four months of attending one of my masterclasses
Valissa’s approach is unique to every individual and that’s why it works.”
For a long time, I felt as if I was staring at a glass ceiling. I could see what should be my next career advancement through that glass ceiling, but I had so many doubts that made it seem unreachable. I loved how applicable and relevant her coaching sessions were and appreciated the approach as well. The one thing on my mind was the question Valissa asked me, “Why do you need to wait 2 years to apply for that job?” My personal experience with my current job is that they offer individual development plans for employees, but nothing as personal and detailed as what Valissa is providing. Valissa’s approach is unique to every individual and that’s why it works. I received the promotion.
- Damaries, Financial Center Manager
Get to Know Coach Valissa
I earned three promotions in five years after a career plateau and job elimination — without sacrificing my well-being.
Throughout my career, I let my work speak for itself. After all, I came from hardworking Southern parents who migrated to Michigan and worked in automotive and healthcare industries. My parents and their parents valued action over talking. They passed on their legacy of work ethic, tenacity and commitment. It served me well through college and most of my professional life. I also inherited my share of modesty, pride and deference which got in the way when seeking higher-level leadership roles. I learned the hard way that it takes more than hard work to ascend the corporate ladder.
When I hit that career plateau, I was at a loss. Years of missed opportunities meant missed earnings. Those missed earnings meant deferring other life goals. Like you, I was determined and knew I had what it took for the next level. I just needed a little help and a new approach to highlight my readiness. What I learned next catapulted my career—three promotions in five years.
How I Landed 3 Promotions in 5 Years
I landed my first management role out of college as customer care manager and became the first black female executive at that financial services startup.
Then, there was a 30% workforce reduction so my position was eliminated.
I was recruited by a 20 billion dollar financial institution to head up their merchant operations
Year 1: I tackled business challenges, inspired my team, and received an exceptional performance review.
Year 2: Another exceptional performance review but no promotion
Year 3: Third exceptional performance review but still no promotion. In fact, a role elimination occurred due to reorganization. Accepted available role with less responsibility--a demotion. This was a first in my career.
This was my turning point
At this point, I really started to ask myself, "What am I missing?"
This is where I tapped into my power—the power of insight. Where were my blind spots, opportunities and barriers? Who could help me see what I didn’t? I gathered feedback from different vantage points. One conversation stands out. I met with a C-level executive for advice. We had history. A friend and mentor had given me a question to ask. It was, “What are you hearing about me?” The answer was, “Nothing, that’s what you want to work on.”
Once I had the power of insight, that gave me the power to take deliberate action and create momentum.
Promotion #1
2015: Same title, Merchant Services Manager, increase in responsibility and pay
Promotion #2
2017: Tapped for a newly created role, Sales Operations Manager, to build a new department that didn’t previously exist. Awarded an executive coach and entry to an executive sales leadership program
Promotion #3
2019: Worked with executive coach for next level. Achieved Vice President, Sales Operations
Clients gain the benefit of what I’ve learned, lived, and overcome as a leader over the past 20 years. They also benefit from my professional coach training obtained through the Coaching and Positive Psychology (CaPP) Institute. Since 2020, Standout Career Guide has been supporting women to own and achieve leadership and career success.
I get to walk alongside you as your Standout Career Guide.