Others match skills. We match DNA™

 

Ignite your passion about your work, tap into your core competencies, and discover the next step in your career journey.

Greetings, I’m Julie Allen.

Every day in our executive search practice, I have the great opportunity to represent talented leaders, placing them in roles where they make an impact and work with people they admire and respect.

As a result of my work partnering with company executives to recruit and assemble leadership teams, people often seek my advice—mainly because of the unique role I play and the privileged discussions that go along with that—but also because of the personal touch and energy I put into each candidate and assignment, carefully considering the nuances of “fit” that are so important.

Outside of my search work, I get a few thousand calls every year from people who want one-on-one discussion around their goals and career aspirations. They want to think through what matters most to them and get a candid assessment of their background along with honest, constructive feedback. The insights I can offer—from this side of the table—allow them to broaden their views around their accomplishments, skills and potential.

 

These leaders want to expand their horizons, zero in on their interests, understand what’s “out there”, identify what they’re best suited for and find the clearest path to pursue their ambitions.

 

My mission is to:

  • Dive deeper to expand their views, giving an objective, critical assessment of their background and skills, capturing salient points, and weaving their story together to better communicate their value and full self.
  • Identify and sharpen their focus, structuring efforts to expand their scope and reach beyond the equity built within their network.
  • Be an olive branch of mentoring and advice to help them navigate the waters as they advocate for themselves.  

Looking at the whole person, I help them discover their full potential, offering insightful feedback and direction to guide their efforts.

Confidential discussions about what matters to them lead them to opportunities that bring meaning to their life.

Are you ready for a new challenge? Let’s discuss where you want to go.

At this stage in your career, I imagine you’re not looking for a job. You want a great opportunity.

You’re looking for solid fit, where you can make an impact with the right people around you. But knowing how to get there can be tricky. Many of my clients want to advance their career; but they’re not sure what’s out there, what they’re best suited for, or where to start.

This is where I can help. As I get to know you, I can offer tangible insights, drawing out what you can’t see and helping you create a vision for your next career opportunity that is achievable.

Insight & Advice For Accomplished Leaders

Guidance from a mentor with a unique perspective—from both sides of the table.

All efforts seem to lean toward efficiency today, and as good as that can be in some areas, it’s often incongruent with what the human heart needs. People want to be discovered in deeper ways and favored in for uniquely compelling opportunities for who they are and what they bring forward yet, they don’t know where to find the opportunities or have enough information and insight to gauge if it’s a perfect fit.

To kick start their efforts during a career transition, it’s most common and very natural to tap into their network and schedule a series of 30-minute coffee meetings to get “caught up,” exchange a resume and receive 3 new names of people to call. This can be productive initially and all intentions are good. But, this can go on for weeks and after about 60 days, people say to me, “I’m not sure where my activity is leading” and “I don’t have an advocate championing my efforts.” It can be daunting going at it alone so when you start to spin your wheels or don’t get constructive feedback that can bring clarity, don’t get stuck living in your own head, stuck in a poor process. I am here to help you work through all of that.

Insight & Advice For Accomplished Leaders

Guidance from a mentor with a unique perspective—from both sides of the table.

All efforts seem to lean toward efficiency today, and as good as that can be in some areas, it’s often incongruent with what the human heart needs. People want to be discovered in deeper ways and favored in for uniquely compelling opportunities for who they are and what they bring forward yet, they don’t know where to find the opportunities or have enough information and insight to gauge if it’s a perfect fit.

To kick start their efforts during a career transition, it’s most common and very natural to tap into their network and schedule a series of 30-minute coffee meetings to get “caught up,” exchange a resume and receive 3 new names of people to call. This can be productive initially and all intentions are good. But, this can go on for weeks and after about 60 days, people say to me, “I’m not sure where my activity is leading” and “I don’t have an advocate championing my efforts.” It can be daunting going at it alone so when you start to spin your wheels or don’t get constructive feedback that can bring clarity, don’t get stuck living in your own head, stuck in a poor process. I am here to help you work through all of that.

Get perspective, clarity & confidence.

This individual coaching is for you if …

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You are an accomplished leader, are in a transition or considering a career move.
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You want to communicate your value, discover what you’re best suited for, identify growth opportunities, and pinpoint where your greatest potential lies.

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You want an intentional plan to expand your reach so you can identify and land opportunities that fit you like a glove.
This private coaching is offered exclusively to leaders not already engaged with me in an executive search process.
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Dive into your background to uncover your key differentiators and identify core competencies you’ve underplayed or overestimated.
See what you need to be thinking about, bring definition to your goals and aspirations, and map out an intentional plan to reach them.
Gain a quiet catalyst, coach, mentor and advocate.

Phase 1

The Discovery Phase

This deep dive is focused on getting to know you, your professional background and what matters most to you. I’ll delve into your background to discover what you’ve accomplished and identify your skills and interests. The goal of this phase is to draw out the best of who you are as a person and leader, and shine light on what you have to offer.

I will offer straightforward counsel and insight to help you communicate your value and package your story. I’ll also offer a candid assessment of your capabilities and background to help you identify what you’re best suited for, where you stand next to other competitive leaders and how to move forward.

Does this strike a chord?

  • You want to explore your interests and get perspective on your background, understanding your strengths, weaknesses, blind spots and gaps.
  • You are at a critical inflection point and need advice and mentorship. You want to communicate your value and expand your value in the minds of others.
  • You want clarity on how to communicate different events in your background that aren’t so easy to explain. Certain aspects of your background might be inferred by some and might not leap out to others.

Phase 1

The Discovery Phase

This deep dive is focused on getting to know you, your professional background and what matters most to you. I’ll delve into your background to discover what you’ve accomplished and identify your skills and interests. The goal of this phase is to draw out the best of who you are as a person and leader, and shine light on what you have to offer.

Read More
I will offer straightforward counsel and insight to help you communicate your value and package your story. I’ll also offer a candid assessment of your capabilities and background to help you identify what you’re best suited for, where you stand next to other competitive leaders and how to move forward.

Does this strike a chord?

  • You want to explore your interests and get perspective on your background, understanding your strengths, weaknesses, blind spots and gaps.
  • You are at a critical inflection point and need advice and mentorship. You want to communicate your value and expand your value in the minds of others.
  • You want clarity on how to communicate different events in your background that aren’t so easy to explain. Certain aspects of your background might be inferred by some and might not leap out to others.

“You saw things objectively and spoke plainly and directly to me. It’s easy to get linear about your path, but when you want to do something different, and swim with a new pod of fish, you can’t apply the same approach. You were imperative to my success.

Mike Carter
VP Global Sales, Nevro

You helped me think through how to communicate my value with knowledge and confidence. Your calm and confident leadership style helped me on my journey toward success. You took time to understand my experience, beyond a superficial view, and that helped me better represent myself on my resume and in person. You gave me confidence that I would find a great role with the right team and that successfully happened.

Andrina Hougham, VP Clinical Affairs, Regulatory & Reimbursement, Neuspera Medical

You gave me a wide perspective as the world was starting to seem so small through my lens. You gave a critical assessment of my capabilities & helped me connect the dots in ways I otherwise would not have been able to do. You expanded how I perceived my value, helped me master my next steps, and opened my eyes to new possibilities.

Jim Surek, VP Sales, ExplORer Surgical

You saw things objectively and spoke plainly and directly to me. It’s easy to get linear about your path, but when you want to do something different, and swim with a new pod of fish, you can’t apply the same approach. You were imperative to my success.

Mike Carter, VP Global Sales, Nevro

You organized my thought process around what I’ve done & how I’ve done it. You improved my delivery and told me things I needed to know. My outlook changed & now I lead with greater courage and conviction.

Jaeson Bang, Founder, Oracle Health

As a collegiate hurdler, my coach saw things I could not see & guided me where I needed guidance. He took me from the middle to being a National Qualifier within six weeks. With focused attention around the things I could not see, you are my professional “hurdle” coach & a major part of my career advancement.

Erick Johnson, Business Unit Leader, Intricon

You helped me take stock of my background and package all that I’ve accomplished throughout my career. I learned how to communicate my narrative so I could convey my value more effectively & stay focused on all the right points.

Ray Chadwick, VP Interventional, Merit Medical Systems

I went from a highly tactical to a strategic approach, hitting the salient points with clarity. You helped me elevate my thinking beyond what I could see and that made a huge difference in how I communicated my value.

Andy Swanson, Chief Development Strategist, Fortec Medical

The reason why I jumped right into this work with you was because of our first conversation; you heard me. You focused on understanding me uniquely, not just helping me get an executive job. You listened and said that this work would be about me and discovering what was right for me. That really resonated, especially at this juncture in my career.

Rebecca Porter, former Vice President, Northwestern Mutual

My eyes were opened to the possibilities of where I could take my skills and experience. The breadth of my background was enhanced by how you drew me out, connecting so many things and showing me my value, through your lens. You’ve been a key piece in completing the mosaic of my background & potential.

Jeff Powell, CEO, BioSerenity

Phase 2

Create an Intentional Plan

The next step is to create a plan. We’ll talk about where you want to end up and how to get there.
Together, we’ll evaluate your current process, transitioning from a shotgun approach to a step-by-step, calculated approach.

Then, we’ll focus on expanding your reach and learning about the avenues that are right for you. I’ll help you avoid common pitfalls of networking and the emotional expense that comes with it, so you can feel confident that your efforts are productive and effective.

Does this strike a chord?

  • You’ve met with plenty of people in your network but are starting to wonder where the activity is heading.
  • You don’t know what opportunities are out there or how to find them. You’re not getting the traction you need or the attention you want.
  • You want to make an impact with a great team but don’t know how to find it.  

Phase 2

Create an Intentional Plan

The next step is to create a plan. We’ll talk about where you want to end up and how to get there.
Together, we’ll evaluate your current process, transitioning from a shotgun approach to a step-by-step, calculated approach.

Read More
Then, we’ll focus on expanding your reach and learning about the avenues that are right for you. I’ll help you avoid common pitfalls of networking and the emotional expense that comes with it, so you can feel confident that your efforts are productive and effective.

Does this strike a chord?

  • You’ve met with plenty of people in your network but are starting to wonder where the activity is heading.
  • You don’t know what opportunities are out there or how to find them. You’re not getting the traction you need or the attention you want.
  • You want to make an impact with a great team but don’t know how to find it.  

“Julie is a true expert in how people best fit into medtech companies.  Her experience in the industry helped me to update and tailor my value proposition very specifically to the type of organization I was interested in joining. She gave great advice on the process of connecting with individuals who mattered in my search.  Her advice was direct and useful, delivered in a supportive tone that I always appreciated.”

Todd Smalley, CCO, Omniscient Neurotechnology

I needed a better plan & approach to my search efforts. The best defense is a good offense, and this is exactly what you gave me. Up until now, I always had someone strongly advocating for me. Now, I’m entering a new process & don’t want to make mistakes that I otherwise wouldn’t make. You took control of my efforts & gave me structure, not knowing where I should start.

Nestor Jaramillo, President & CEO NuWellis

You kept speaking about clarity & how important that is. Going at this alone comes with challenges & you provided the guidance I needed that kept my feet firmly planted.

Ray Chadwick, VP Interventional, Merit Medical Systems

I built up a lot of equity with people I’d known for so long so was unsure how to venture out of my network and expand my scope. I didn’t know how the game was played and I needed a proactive approach. You helped me hone my game.

Mike Carter, VP Global Sales, Nevro

Your coaching dove into my soul and helped me find my next role. You cleared my mind and helped me settle into a strategy that was best for me. I was struggling with the old school ways of searching for my next opportunity and I was about to lose an enormous amount of time until you intervened and guided me in a calculated path that I followed.

Jim Surek, VP Sales, ExplORer Surgical

You helped me triangulate my network & that gave me avenues. I was able to think more broadly about what’s out there & that is exactly what I needed.

Ray Chadwick, VP Interventional, Merit Medical Systems

Phase 3

Navigate the Waters (Bonus)

Navigating on your own can present challenges as you do the work to find opportunities that are right for you. Having an experienced mentor in your corner can be an enormous asset.

I can appreciate how frustrating it is when an opportunity doesn’t advance, or you don’t get any feedback, or when it’s “crickets” following an otherwise excellent discussion. I can offer insight to minimize speculation and make proactive recommendations that will help you make informed decisions.

I help you prepare for key meetings and interviews and offer insightful suggestions for tangible next steps, factoring in the human psychology at play. Having a pulse on these dynamics—and an intimate understanding of competitive compensation structures—I can help you guide the process with clarity and confidence.

Does this strike a chord?

  • You want guidance on how to manage the communications, dynamics and interpretation of things so opportunities come together successfully.
  • You want confidential discussion that invites candid, constructive feedback so you have greater awareness and a balanced perspective.
  • You need an advocate, sounding board and trusted confidant to help you move through hiring processes, discern what’s right for you and achieve a perfect fit. 

Phase 3

Navigate the Waters (Bonus)

Navigating on your own can present challenges as you do the work to find opportunities that are right for you. Having an experienced mentor in your corner can be an enormous asset.

Read More
I can appreciate how frustrating it is when an opportunity doesn’t advance, or you don’t get any feedback, or when it’s “crickets” following an otherwise excellent discussion. I can offer insight to minimize speculation and make proactive recommendations that will help you make informed decisions.

I help you prepare for key meetings and interviews and offer insightful suggestions for tangible next steps, factoring in the human psychology at play. Having a pulse on these dynamics—and an intimate understanding of competitive compensation structures—I can help you guide the process with clarity and confidence.

Does this strike a chord?

  • You want guidance on how to manage the communications, dynamics and interpretation of things so opportunities come together successfully.
  • You want confidential discussion that invites candid, constructive feedback so you have greater awareness and a balanced perspective.
  • You need an advocate, sounding board and trusted confidant to help you move through hiring processes, discern what’s right for you and achieve a perfect fit. 

“You provided clarity on three potential career paths that I could pursue and the benefits and challenges of each. You brought energy & experience to life during my interview processes. I was able to confidently articulate key experiences that were in alignment with the goals of the company and why I was the person they needed to be successful. During the offer negotiations, you gave me confidence to request changes to make the offer more competitive, and this resulted in a better outcome. Having you by my side helped me to think broadly as I considered key decisions.

Andrina Hougham,
VP Clinical Affairs, Regulatory & Reimbursement, Neuspera Medical

You helped me crystallize the aspects that would be most fulfilling and in alignment with my career vision. You refined my written and oral communications to better communicate the benefits I could bring to potential employers. You helped me develop a new search strategy rather than relying on my own methods. You stayed with me all the way through the hiring process to provide support, insight on the mindsets of those involved, and specific recommendations on the communications. I was not only able to land a role that best aligned with my interests and goals, but believe I have a more productive approach going forward.

Tom Patzelt, former VP of Marketing, Aerin Medical

You provided clarity on three potential career paths that I could pursue and the benefits and challenges of each. You brought energy & experience to life during my interview processes. I was able to confidently articulate key experiences that were in alignment with the goals of the company and why I was the person they needed to be successful. During the offer negotiations, you gave me confidence to request changes to make the offer more competitive, and this resulted in a better outcome. Having you by my side helped me to think broadly as I considered key decisions.

Andrina Hougham, VP Clinical Affairs, Regulatory & Reimbursement, Neuspera Medical

You took time to understand me as a complete person, and placed the job search within larger, more important goals for me as an individual. I was able to focus on opportunities that would fulfill my goals on multiple levels. To my surprise, during my interview with the president, he introduced a different opportunity that was broader in scope & responsibility. It was my preparation that made all the difference. You knew the rapport with the president would be an important deciding factor and you guided me through those communications. This opportunity has been an ideal fit & this was a refreshing process. Your counsel, advice and guidance provided the boost I needed.

Kyle Wills, Senior Global Director, Technology & Innovation, The Secant Group

I needed advice & intelligent insight to set the right expectations, understand the opportunity, and properly prepare. Without enough context to go on, it was impossible to navigate well. I didn’t want to stumble, and you helped me understand what I didn’t know and that made all the difference to me because I was set up for success.

Ray Chadwick, VP Interventional, Merit Medical Systems

Julie is a true expert in how people best fit into medtech companies.  Her experience in the industry helped me to update and tailor my value proposition very specifically to the type of organization I was interested in joining. She gave great advice on the process of connecting with individuals who mattered in my search.  Her advice was direct and useful, delivered in a supportive tone that I always appreciated.

Todd Smalley, CCO, Omniscient Neurotechnology

Chances are, it’s been years since you’ve had an objective review of your resume and background. Take hold and get feedback in a constructive manner from an industry leader who is on top of it daily. I will reveal the soft, white underbelly so you can hone your game.

Evaluate your strengths and what you have to offer—in concert with your interests and passions—to help bring out the fullness of who you are as a leader.

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Insights gained from two decades of executive search experience
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Personalized guidance as you plan for your next opportunity.
Begin a process of self-discovery to identify facets of your background and interests you may not have considered before.

Articulate the kinds of roles where you can shine, based on your aspirations, skills and capabilities.

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Give structure and purpose to your efforts by clarifying what you want to achieve.
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Create an intentional plan to guide your search.

Identify roadblocks and strengths. Candidly discuss barriers to your ambitions, areas in your background to take advantage of, and how you should be communicating when it comes to your experience.

Private coaching

Discover your full potential, expand your horizons and understand what’s out there—so you can put focus, intention and structure to your efforts, and land an opportunity that fits you like a glove.

Get in touch
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Give clarity to your goals, dreams and asprirations.
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Surround yourself with people you admire and respect, and make the impact you want to make.
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Communicate your value in a way that resonates with the people you want to meet.
Get in touch