Are you ready to stop settling and claim 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?

Free Guide

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

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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. 

Why shouldn't you?
Valissa Pierrelouis, Standout Career Guide

Consider me a guide.

Your 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.

What would it mean for you and your life to accelerate
your desired career aspirations?

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:

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:

This is good for you if...

This is NOT good for you if...

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:

This is good for you if...

This is NOT good for you if...

You’re ambitious, intelligent and talented, and might be thinking...

What’s it like to work with a coach?

A coach meets with you to understand your goals. Over multiple sessions, we use questions, active listening, tools and techniques to help you clarify your career or leadership vision, discover what’s in your way and co-create a roadmap for you to reach your desired goals. A good coach is invested in your success.

I can reach my goals on my own.

I believe you can achieve whatever you set your mind to do. After all, you’ve gotten yourself this far. Have you achieved what you wanted to by this time? If not, what’s in your way? What would it mean to have strategies that help you achieve your goals faster and with less stress? What would it mean to have someone that’s been where you are and invested in your success?

What is the time commitment for coaching?

Coaching sessions range from 60 to 90 minutes, depending on the program. Depending on career goals, clients spend an average of one hour between sessions on weekly action items. With the group program, you will also receive pre-work prior to the start of the program. Pre-work equips you to come to your first session with key insights to jumpstart your progress.

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.

It's your time.

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

Jackee Hawkins, client of Valissa Pierrelouis, Standout Career Guide

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.

Now,

I get to walk alongside you as your Standout Career Guide.