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VMC ASCEND Career Acceleration System™

Make A Power Move

About

You've earned your seat at the table. Now let's make sure the right people know it.
You're not early in your career. You've done the work, led the teams, and built real expertise. But somewhere between where you are and where you're headed, something is getting in the way — a stalled search, a ceiling you can't seem to break through, or a career that no longer fits who you've become.

That's where I come in.

I'm Valerie Martinelli — Executive Career Strategist, and the person who helps high-achieving professionals stop playing small.
My clients are mid- and senior-level professionals who are smart, capable, and ready for more. They come to me when the stakes are high and they can't afford to figure it out alone.
The results speak for themselves: salary increases of $15K–$60K on a single offer. New titles. New industries. New confidence in rooms that used to feel out of reach.

Here's how we work together:

The ASCEND Career Acceleration System™
 
For the professional who is ready to stop reacting and start leading with intention. This is career reinvention and leadership positioning for the long game — because where you're going requires a different version of how you show up.

Every engagement is built around the same core principle:

Advancement Requires More Than Experience

It requires visibility, positioning, authority, and influence.

Whether you’re pursuing a promotion, navigating a transition, building a leadership brand, or redefining your career direction, ASCEND provides a clear path forward.

Packages

ASCEND Strategy Session

Curious about what's possible for you? Click below to schedule a call! Let's talk! 
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The LinkedIn Authority Gap Checklist

The LinkedIn Authority Gap Checklist is a quick, strategic self-assessment designed for mid and senior-level professionals who know they’re experienced—but aren’t being positioned, recognized, or pursued like leaders.

In just minutes, you’ll identify the gaps in your LinkedIn presence that may be quietly undermining your ability to stand out in your industry and be recognized for next-level opportunities. This checklist will demonstrate where to focus to strengthen your leadership positioning.

Free download! 
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ASCEND Authority Snapshot

The ASCEND Authority Snapshot is a focused, self-paced intensive designed for experienced professionals who need clarity fast- can be completed in 90 minutes. 

In this quick  self-paced program, you can distill years of experience into a single, strategic Authority Snapshot—a one-page overview that clearly communicates what you do, what you’re known for, and where you’re positioned to go next.

This is about articulating your accomplishments in a way the market understands and values.

 Lifetime access, $77
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ASCEND Executive Brand System

Stop being overlooked. Start being obvious.
At the mid-senior level, growth doesn’t come from doing more—it comes from being clearly understood.

ASCEND Executive Brand System is a strategic, self-paced program with 3 laser coaching sessions for experienced professionals who know they’re valuable—but aren’t consistently recognized as the authority they are.

  • This isn’t personal branding or performative storytelling.

  • It’s a practical system for defining, translating, and activating your professional narrative so your value is trusted, remembered, and chosen—across roles, platforms, and opportunities.

If you’re navigating a pivot, preparing for greater visibility, or building credibility without sounding salesy, this program was built for you.

Build an Executive Branding System that travels with you—and works long after the title changes. 

Lifetime access, $797
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The Ultimate Power Move

The Ultimate Power Move is a high-touch, hybrid coaching experience designed to position you as the obvious choice for your next level. Through expert guidance, deep strategic work, and hands-on execution, we build your executive brand with you—so your value is unmistakable, visible, and in demand. 
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Testimonials

Valerie is my go-to career coach

Valerie is so much more than a person who helps you "find the next job." Valerie's guidance and wisdom made it possible for her to reel in some of my rougher edges to refine not only my resume and LinkedIn page - she helped me refine my thinking about my career in general. Val has this knack to let you go and go... until you have the aha moment she was looking for. She looks for the coachable and teachable aspects of each client. Valerie's ability to counsel her clients with patient mentoring keeps me going back to her as my go-to "help me think this through" whenever I find myself in a new or unexpected situation or with a new or unexpected opportunity. I've been working long enough to know that I better listen to what Val has to say. She'll wait out my stubborn tendencies until I get on the same page and that's a really unusual talent for a career coach and mentor.

- Jean Kaplansky

Valerie has helped me to empower myself…

Valerie has helped me to empower myself and find clarity in my career path. Highly recommend her to anyone.

- Amanda Hurley

I reached out to Valerie after making my best attempts over several months to optimize my LinkedIn profile. I have 15+ years of work experience across several industries, and I'm also aware of the way leader profiles represent an employer.

Valerie's expertise was clear from our first meeting, when she asked very thoughtful questions and helped me to pin down details I hadn't thought about. In just a few days, Valerie returned with a detailed, clear plan for my profile updates: she had re-written most of my summaries and selected more meaningful descriptors for the various accountabilities, accomplishments and achievements.

The new profile she created ensures that my leadership and expertise stands out, including from a search optimization perspective. Some of her adjustments were minimal but had the impact of making each area more impactful.

Although I'm pleased to recommend Valerie on her considerable expertise alone, what made this (a bit intimidating) experience wonderful is Valerie's personality and demeanor. She's a safe pair of hands, and it's easy to trust that she knows what she's doing, because she truly does. She removed any nervousness I felt about undertaking a big overhaul and turned the interview responses into a cohesive, orderly and compelling profile that I'm delighted to share.

- Jennifer Zaborowski, PhD

Executive Brand & Career Positioning System

The ASCEND Executive Brand System helps you define and communicate your professional identity in a way that builds credibility, confidence, and opportunity.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Who is VMC's ASCEND Career Acceleration System™ designed for?
VMC's Career Acceleration System™ is designed for mid- to senior-level professionals and leaders who want to position themselves more strategically for advancement, visibility, or new opportunities. Most clients are experienced professionals who have strong results but struggle to clearly articulate their value in a competitive market.  


What makes the ASCEND Career Acceleration System™ different?
Most career services focus on job search tactics.

ASCEND focuses on long-term career leverage.

We help professionals:

  • Become visible
  • Build authority
  • Communicate value
  • Expand influence
  • Create sustainable career momentum
Because the goal isn’t simply getting hired.

The goal is becoming impossible to overlook.
Do I need to be actively job searching to benefit from the ASCEND Career Acceleration System™?
No, you do not. 
What kind of results can I expect from the ASCEND Career Acceleration System™?
Participants leave our programs with:

  • Clear Leadership Identity
  • Greater Leadership Visibility 
  • Clearer Professional Positioning
  • Increased Confidence and Influence
  • More Strategic Career Decisions
  • Promotions, new opportunities, and career growth
Who is the ASCEND Career Acceleration System™ NOT for?
  • Entry-level job seekers
  • Professionals seeking only resume writing services
  • Individuals looking for quick-fix career solutions 

What happens after I schedule a Strategy Session?
After booking, you will receive:
  • A confirmation email
  • Any preparation instructions
  • Your session link and details
You’ll also have the option to discuss next steps or deeper support if appropriate.
How should I prepare for a Strategy Session?
Once you book, you may be asked to submit:
  • Your LinkedIn profile
  • Responses to key questions or goals for the session
This allows us to make the session as strategic and productive as possible.
What if I need more support after the ASCEND Authority Snapshot?
Many clients find that the ASCEND Authority Snapshot provides powerful clarity around their positioning and next steps.
For professionals who want deeper support in refining their leadership narrative and professional positioning, there is an option to continue the work through The ASCEND Executive Brand System. 
This program provides a structured process for developing and articulating a clear, strategic narrative that positions you as a recognized authority in your field.
Can the investment be applied toward the Executive Brand System program?
Yes. If we determine during a strategy session that The Executive Brand System program would be the best next step for you, the cost of the ASCEND Authority Snapshot can be applied toward the program investment.

This allows you to begin with a strategic conversation and then continue the work if it makes sense for your goals.

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