Ascent:
VP Coaching Programs

VP*: Sr. Associate, Assistant Portfolio Manager, Sr. Manager, Associate Director

The Reality:

What got them here won’t get them there. Their technical skills earned them the promotion, but now success depends on leadership, strategic thinking, and executive presence.

With experience coaching hundreds of professionals through this transition, we help VPs navigate the key rites of passage that define this career stage—ensuring they build a strong and sustainable brand and performance cadence. 

(The jump from Associate to VP can feel like a sharp 90-degree turn, yet coaching at this level is often overlooked. In reality, it’s one of the most critical times to establish the foundation for long-term success.)

The Opportunity:

A 6-month, 1:1 coaching engagement tailored to their unique growth areas.

The Focus Areas: 

✔ Developing a Point of View – Taking the initiative to determine next steps and action plans.

✔ From Contributor to Leader – Delegating, motivating, and developing junior talent.

✔ Managing Up – Communicating effectively with senior professionals.

✔ Time & Stress Management – Building sustainable, high-performance habits.

✔ Communications/Presence – Navigating internal/external interactions with confidence.

✔ Relationship Building – Leveraging internal and external relationships.

The Outcome:

These development areas aren’t weaknesses—they’re the milestones every leader must pass through. With the right coaching, your VPs will move through them with confidence, accelerating their success and impact.

Coaching for Directors >

  • “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’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 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 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 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

  • “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

Woman in a blue and red checkered dress stands with arms crossed in a modern office space with framed abstract art on the wall and certificates displayed on a cabinet.

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.

Hi, I’m Kristy Carrod,