Amplify Your Leadership. Elevate Your Career.
Hi, I'm Valissa.
Through my Standout Executive™ Framework, I help mid-career women in financial services and technology position themselves for a path to executive roles and salary growth without overworking.
Your next level isn’t about doing more—it’s about showing up differently. Let’s amplify your leadership presence and position you for the career you deserve. Want to know more? Take the first step.
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
"You’re Ready for More—So Why Aren’t You Advancing?
You’ve achieved milestones, delivered results, and exceeded expectations—but your career still isn’t moving forward the way you expect.
Maybe you’ve outgrown your role, but no one’s noticed.Maybe you feel stuck, working harder and harder without advancing.
Or maybe decision-makers don’t yet see you as ready for the next step up.
Here’s the truth: Advancing to executive leadership doesn’t mean taking on more work. In fact, overworking often holds you back from being seen as the strategic leader you are.To elevate your career, you must:
- Position yourself as a strategic thinker ready for higher-level leadership.
- Communicate your value and impact to decision-makers.
- Build the visibility and advocacy you need to open doors.
Staying in the cycle of overworking and under-recognition is frustrating, exhausting, and unsustainable. But it doesn’t have to stay that way.
Let’s start with where you are.
Chances are you feel one or more of the following:
Outgrown Role
You excel at your current role but it no longer challenges or fulfills you. You’re ready for leadership opportunities that match your true potential.
Feel Stuck
You’re striving to advance, but unsure of what’s holding you back and how to move forward. The next leadership level feels out of reach despite your efforts.
Unseen Potential
You feel ready to lead at a higher level where you can further develop leaders, affect change, and influence business outcomes but you’re not seen as ready.
Right now, which best describes where you are in your leadership and career journey?
Hear this. You are not alone.
You may be thinking, “How do you know that, Valissa?”
Besides helping my clients overcome these challenges, I’ve been there. I’ve navigated the frustrations of feeling stuck, unseen, and unsure of my next step—and I’ve turned those experiences into a framework that helps ambitious women like you elevate their careers.
There is nothing more powerful than a woman determined to rise.
Several years ago, I hit a mid-career plateau. I call it my ‘mid-career crisis.’ I felt stuck until I discovered key strategies that led to three promotions in five years and a seat at the table.
Now, I am compelled to share those same strategies with you.
You are ready to take charge and become the CEO of your career– traveling the path to executive leadership as high as your ambition.
You just need the right guidance.
All CEOs have a team.
Consider me a guide.
As your coach, I’ll guide you through a proven process to amplify your leadership and elevate your career.
Together, we’ll create a personalized plan to get you from where you are to where you want to be in your career—using my proven 3-part methodology and Standout Executive™ Framework.
This isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach. The process is tailored to your unique strengths, goals, and challenges to help you amplify your leadership, elevate your career, and achieve the growth you desire.
The Standout Career Blueprint
My Proven 3-Part Process to Amplify Your Leadership and Elevate Your Career
Insight
Transformation starts with clarity of your strengths, desires, goals, and blind spots. Together, we’ll uncover what’s holding you back and identify the gaps you need to close. This clarity forms the foundation that will shape your leadership vision and position you for the career you want.
Action
This is where you begin to execute on your insight. We’ll leverage the six leadership pillars of the Standout Executive™ Framework, focusing your efforts in areas with the greatest impact. By taking targeted, strategic actions, you’ll amplify your strategic leadership value, showcase your potential to decision-makers, and align your career path with your vision.
Momentum
Move forward intentionally using a personalized roadmap we’ll co-create together. With clear next steps, you’ll accelerate your progress toward higher leadership roles and salary growth—without overworking.
Achieving promotion and salary growth
Purchasing your home or new car
Prioritizing the vacation you've dreamed of
Finding new meaning and fulfillment in your work
Building
generational wealth
Reclaiming time for what matters most
Gaining more confidence, influence, and impact
Here Is What's Possible For You
Imagine being recognized for your executive leadership potential and stepping into a role where you significantly contribute to business outcomes.
These are the real results my clients achieve:
- Confidence and clarity to lead with intention and influence.
- A promotion within months after being overlooked for years.
- Salary growth worthy of their contributions and expertise.
- The ability to think and communicate strategically their vision and value.
You’re capable of these results, too. Let’s explore how we’ll make them happen together.
Work With Me
Two Proven Paths to Amplify Your Leadership and Elevate Your Career
Transform Your Potential into Executive Reality
Imagine walking into every room with confidence, clarity, and the unwavering presence of an executive leader.
ELEVATED is the signature 4-month live online group coaching and mentoring experience designed for ambitious mid-career women—whether you’re a Senior Manager, Director, or VP, or several steps away from executive leadership. No matter where you are on your journey, you’ll learn to position yourself as a standout candidate for higher-level leadership roles.
With the Standout Executive™ Framework as your guide, and the support of an ambitious community of peers, you’ll:
- Walk, talk, and think like a next-level leader, commanding recognition and respect.
- Gain clarity on how to position yourself as a strategic leader with executive potential.
- Leverage daily interactions to showcase your strengths and create visibility.
- Communicate your vision and value with confidence, clarity, and conviction.
- Build influence and advocacy that opens doors to promotions and growth.
- Work with intention—aligning your efforts for maximum impact without overworking.
This is more than developing skills. You will become the leader you’re destined to be. You’ll leave ELEVATED with the strategies, mindset, and community to thrive in your career journey and beyond.
Here's what is included in ELEVATED:
- Bi-weekly live group coaching sessions for actionable guidance.
- Signature tools and resources designed to help you achieve your career goals.
- Access to a community of ambitious women for ongoing support.
- Personalized coach feedback to align your leadership brand with executive aspirations.
Let's plan your leadership breakthrough!
Blaze Your Personalized Path to Leadership Success
Imagine having a clear, personalized strategy to align your leadership presence with executive aspirations—while building a legacy as an exceptional leader.
POSITIONED is an exclusive 1:1 coaching experience designed for mid-career women who want to elevate their careers with intention, grow their teams for success, and lead with lasting impact. Whether you’re aiming for your next promotion, preparing for a bigger role, or navigating complex workplace dynamics, POSITIONED gives you the tools, clarity, and confidence to succeed.
Over 3 or 6 months, we’ll use the Standout Executive™ Framework to:
- Define your leadership brand and position you as an indispensable strategic leader.
- Build and develop a high-performing team, allowing you to focus on strategic priorities.
- Identify blind spots and growth areas holding you back from desired opportunities.
- Cultivate trust, credibility, and influence across the organization at all levels.
- Communicate your vision, value, and impact with confidence and conviction.
- Accelerate your progress toward promotions, salary growth, and executive leadership roles.
POSITIONED is your opportunity to partner 1:1 with a coach who will help you align your leadership potential with your aspirations. Together, we’ll craft a strategy that elevates your career and cements your legacy as an impactful, strategic leader.
Here's what is included with POSITIONED:
- Bi-weekly one-on-one coaching sessions tailored to your specific leadership goals.
- Personalized application of the Standout Executive™ Framework to identify growth areas and amplify your leadership value.
- Strategic insights and tools to address workplace dynamics and position yourself for visible impact.
- Clear milestones and actionable feedback to accelerate your growth and measure progress.
Let's design your leadership strategy!
You’re ambitious, intelligent and talented, and might be thinking...
What’s it like to work with a coach?
You have a trusted partner invested in your success and ready to guide you along the way.
I can reach my goals on my own.
Are you where you want to be right now? If not, what’s holding you back? Having the right strategies and support can help you break through barriers, achieve your goals faster, and do so with less stress.
What is the time commitment for coaching?
For group coaching, you’ll also complete pre-work designed to bring clarity and jumpstart your progress from day one. You will work smarter, not harder, toward your career and leadership transformation.
I can’t afford coaching.
Coaching is an investment in your future.
What’s the cost of staying in the same place for another year? What could it mean to your career—and your life—if you achieved your goals sooner?
Flexible payment plans make it easier to take the first step toward the transformation you envision.
What Clients Are Saying:
Went from Manager to Director to Vice President level within 12 months of joining the group coaching program
I have grown my confidence level, and it hasn’t gone unnoticed by my peers and leadership.“
I can confidently say that I have grown my confidence level, and it hasn’t gone unnoticed by my peers and leadership. Much of it is due to the growth I achieved through Valissa’s program. I would and have HIGHLY recommended her to anyone looking to grow professionally or personally.
- Lacey, Vice President
Went from being seen as a tactical leader to showcasing strategic leadership and gaining allies and advocates to support her career growth
I now know how to promote and position myself and my strengths.“
Valissa has shown me that it’s not just about the team. I now know how to promote and position myself and my strengths because I am clear on my direction.
I am grateful for Valissa’s guidance and highly recommend anyone serious about growing to retain her as your coach. Don’t walk, run!
- Tiffany, Manager
achieved her vision of achieving vp and salary growth
…seen as a leader who can effectively manage responsibility and relationships to get things done.”
I am more aware of how to be seen as a leader who can effectively manage responsibility and relationships to get things done. Being busy is not the same as having an impact. Valissa provided insight and actionable steps to help me get where I wanted to get to my set goals. If you are on the fence about hiring a coach, I strongly recommend Valissa.
- Lorena, Vice President
promoted within 7 months of joining the group coaching program
…empowered me to think and communicate strategically.”
Working with Valissa has transformed how I perceive my contributions and empowered me to think and communicate strategically. I received my promotion! Her guidance and support have been invaluable for my career.
- Michelle, Senior Manager
Went from Supervisor to Manager within four months of working together
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, Assistant Vice President
Get to Know Coach Valissa
I earned three promotions in five years after a career plateau and job elimination — without sacrificing my well-being.
Hi, I’m Valissa, Leadership Coach and Founder of Standout Career Guide. Like many ambitious women, I once believed that hard work alone was the key to advancing my career. But after years of letting my work “speak for itself,” I realized it wasn’t enough to be seen as an executive leader.
When I hit a career plateau despite my efforts, I knew I had what it took to rise to the next level—but I needed a new strategy to position myself for success. With the right support, clarity, and plan, I transformed how I showed up as a leader, which led to three promotions in five years.
I’ve lived the frustration of feeling stuck, the cost of missed opportunities, and the fulfillment of breaking through. Now, I help mid-career women amplify their leadership, elevate their careers, and achieve more influence, impact, and income—without overworking.
If I could do it, so can you.
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. My professional coach training through The Coaching and Positive Psychology (CaPP) Institute equips me to help ambitious women like you achieve leadership success without sacrificing your well-being.
Since 2020, Standout Career Guide has been supporting women in confidently owning their leadership presence and vision—and what it takes to get there.
I’m here to walk alongside you as your Standout Career Guide. It’s time to release the influential leader within you and take your place at the table.