Elevate:
Director Coaching Programs

Director*: Principal, Assistant/Portfolio Manager, Executive Director or Sr. VP

The Reality: 

Your Directors have proved that they have both the technical and strategic goods, and have shown potential in client interactions. Now, as they compete with a narrower pool of industry peers near the top of the pyramid, it’s time to refine their leadership, relationship, and operational skills. It’s also a great opportunity to create bulletproof habits before stepping into senior leadership. 

The Opportunity: 

A 6-month, 1:1, highly bespoke coaching engagement to help your Directors reach their unique goals.

The Focus Areas: 

✔ Idea Generation – Developing original insights that drive value.

✔ Operational Excellence – Enhancing efficiency and execution.

✔ Boardroom Presence – Strengthening pitch delivery and influence.

✔ Internal Influence – Increasing impact with key stakeholders.

✔ Team Leadership – Driving development and performance.

✔ Business Development – Carving out a market niche/strategy.

✔ MD Readiness – Preparing with a targeted stakeholder strategy.

The Outcome:

We’ve sat at the calibration tables and know what leaders are looking for at MD promotion. Through coaching, your Directors will not only excel in their current roles but also build a clear and compelling path to senior leadership.

< Coaching for VPs

Coaching for MDs/Executives >

  • “Kristy is a natural coach who leads with her relationship management abilities. Her judgement, interpersonal skills and understanding of the business allow her to build trust quickly and make a positive impact on culture and the development of teams.”

    — Sara Stowe, MD and COO, Corporate and Investment Banking, Scotiabank

  • “Kristy’s passion for ensuring that everyone in the industry has the opportunity to reach their full potential is at the core of her values. Her inspirational leadership and mentorship are the key to her coaching success. Working with Kristy is not only a joy, but transformational.”

    — Jennifer Ocampo-King, MD and Head of Securities Lending, TD Securities

  • “Kristy has been our coach and partner in leading our VP and Director coaching program since 2022. This has been a strategic investment in the learning, productivity, engagement, retention, and growth of our Corporate and Investment Banking teams. I would recommend Kristy’s expertise and partnership to any of my peers.“

     — David J. Skurka, Executive Vice President, Co-Head of Global Corporate & Investment Banking, National Bank

  • “Kristy provides exceptional guidance and support, tailored to the unique challenges of the banking industry. Her expertise and personalized approach has helped me evolve in a number of ways and I’m unquestionably better positioned in my career having worked with her.”

    —William J. O'Flaherty, MD, Investment Banking, Matrix Capital Markets Group, Inc.

  • Kristy’s expertise in banking culture and leadership is invaluable, however, what sets her apart is her ability to quickly develop trusted relationships with our bankers and her boundless commitment to making our firm the best place to work.”

    — Spencer Cavalier, President, Matrix Capital Markets Group, Inc.

  • “Kristy is currently coaching my investment banking team at National Bank. The feedback from the participants has been overwhelmingly positive and I have already seen the positive impacts from her coaching. I would be happy to speak to anyone considering her services. Thank you, Kristy!”

    — Sean McIntyre, MD and Head of Diversified Industries, Investment Banking, National Bank Financial

Woman in a blue checkered dress standing with arms crossed, in front of framed abstract art on a blue wall, with certificates and books displayed in the background.

Hi, I’m Kristy Carrod,

After 20 years in the industry, I founded Birchstone Executive Coaching to meet an important need—a boutique coaching and leadership development practice led by certified professionals with deep expertise in the broader investment banking industry. 

Your environment is complex, and you need coaching partners who understand its demands and can integrate seamlessly.