“It takes someone who has worked in the environment to really understand it.”

I specialise in coaching Private Equity executives, partnering with senior professionals and high potentials.

Meet Elena Utrera

My clients value the unique blend of executive coaching expertise and front-line professional experience that I bring to the table.

  • Mastered Certified Executive Coach by world renowned Meyler Campbell

  • Psychometrics certified practitioner of Hogan Assessments, the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), and Systemic Coaching & Constellations

My coaching practice builds on a consolidated career in the City. First as an investment banker at Goldman Sachs (Wealth Management and M&A), then as a private equity investor at TowerBrook Capital Partners and later as a Principal at Keensight Capital.

Throughout my finance career, I’ve lived first hand how ‘people can be our biggest asset’ working alongside senior management teams and managing people as a due-diligence and deal execution team leader.

Like many of my clients, I’ve honed my professional skills in ‘up or out’ environments, where managing your own performance effectively, as well as influencing a wide range of stakeholders (from peers and teams internally, to boards, management and advisors externally) is the day-to-day.

What clients say

  • "I needed to work on how I wanted to be perceived, deal with my most recent performance review, and clarity on how to play my cards right in the fund, also to enjoy myself more. Without these initial sessions with Elena I'd have 100% continued doing the same, her coming from PE, the pace and quality of each session is being exactly what I need."

    Partner, PE mid-cap

  • "Elena helps me think in a different way. I normally focus on the day-to-day. I now need to prioritise leading my team. In our sessions, I stop to gain perspective. This is giving me a more strategic vision of my role, with my clients, and in leading the team (vs doubling down on ‘day to day problem solving’)."

    Managing Director, bulge bracket Investment Bank

  • "Elena expertly guided our sessions for me to identify what my priorities within the business and with the management team members were. Her ability to listen closely and quickly grasp the nuances of what I was dealing with made a difference in clarifying my decision-making process. The resources she shared throughout were highly relevant and valuable."

    Founder and CEO

  • "During our conversations I find myself having insightful perspectives that allow me to see the situation we are discussing very differently. I like the simplicity of a few frameworks shared during our last session that I have applied and can see a shift on how I'm interacting with my team."

    Head of Marketing / Sr VP, large privately held company

  • "Coaching with Elena for the past months has made a difference on how I’m seeing my career. I feel I now approach it more productively differentiating between the ‘tactics’ and the ‘strategy’. There's been a change on how I think and feel about managing my career trajectory and promotion. I can see I'm performing better in my current role with less emotional stress about it."

    VP Legal & Commercial Affairs

My expertise

‘Clear Thinker is better compliment than Smart’ - Naval

Individual One-on-One Coaching Programs (typically 6 months)

Team Development Programs & Workshops

Talent Assessment (Hogan & MBTI Psychometrics Accredited)

    • PE Managing Director: solidifying leadership style in their new firm and executive presence at Investment Committees

    • Managing Director, Bulge Bracket Investment Bank: career strategy - preparing for MD promotion, team management dynamics

    • Founder & CEO: managing a growing team, set the basis to shift from dysfunctional team dynamics to aligned and effective

    • Consultant, Global Management Consulting firm: navigating internal career progression

    • Senior VP, privately held company: refining leadership and communication style internally and with clients

    • Team Development: delivering group leadership skills programs for a large European Private Equity firm

How is it working with me?

  • Grounded in your goals. The core motives that inspire and matter to you are what drive lasting change — that's our focus.

  • A unique blend of front-line Private Equity experience and elite executive coaching training and expertise.

  • Customisation as the key to effectiveness, this is not a one-size-fits-all approach.

  • We leverage your strengths and your own perspectives to fuel progress through the process.

My Certifications & Affiliations

  • Meyler Campbell Mastered Accredited Coach

    Certified executive coach, trained by world renowned Meyler Campbell (accredited by EMCC, AC)

  • Hogan Certified Profile

    Certified practitioner of Hogan Inventory Profiles
    Psychometric assessment

  • Certified practitioner of Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI, Step 1 & 2) Psychometric assessment

  • EMCC Global Individual Accrediation

    European Mentoring and Coaching Council (EMCC) member

  • Affiliate at the Institute of Coaching (IOC), McLean Hospital, part of Harvard Medical School

Coaching that builds on your unique path, where clarity and deliberate action turn potential into outcomes.

Contact

Fill in the form or email: elena@groundexecutivecoaching.com

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