ABOUT US
CareerVantage Connections is a coaching-first career strategy and branding firm founded by Dr. Carla Rutley.
Unlike résumé mills, we start by giving you clarity and a connection plan, then a senior writer crafts your résumé and LinkedIn so both humans and ATS instantly get your value.
We support every stage—Rise, Reset, Redirect—with a simple path that moves from discovery to activation, interview confidence, and offer support.
You’ll work with a collaborative team and a client dashboard that turns guidance into weekly, doable actions—scripts, trackers, and measurable wins.
The result is a repeatable system that blends evidence-based hiring insight with human, high-touch coaching so you stop guessing and start getting offers faster.
Career Coach. Adjunct Professor. Your Partner in Landing the Role You Deserve.
Carla’s diverse experiences allow her to pivot her coaching to cover many industries and occupations. A former Executive Director of Milwaukee Women Inc. she helped to bring more women leaders onto corporate boards. Carla previously led Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Economic and Workforce Development as Executive Director of WCAN, bringing CEOs of business and manufacturing, leaders of Higher Education, first responders, and municipalities to identify workforce talent needs while building out the region’s infrastructure to support the prosperity of the State and residents.
As a certified career coach, she works with individuals to build and manage their career aspirations for those who have been outplaced, relocated, seeking a shift, or are a rising professional needing to identify a direction. In parallel, she conducts webinars to help get the best out of LinkedIn resources for job seekers, entrepreneurs, and professionals.
Skills
Carla works closely with candidates on advanced networking and mentoring skills. She prides herself on mapping out job attainment beyond digital strategies, even for those introverts who dislike the traditional idea of networking. Carla explores other approaches that transcend success, from rising talent to C-suite professionals. Carla is excited to enrich the future of the candidates we serve.
Education
Doctor of Business Administration – Marketing Specialty, Capella University
MBA, Ottawa University, Wisconsin
Undergraduate degree, Ottawa University, Wisconsin
Graduate of Leadership Waukesha, Wisconsin
Community Involvement
Past and current leader within the local Chamber of Commerce
Active in various Business Associations
Passionate about connecting opportunities with talent.
Executive Momentum
$1,800
A focused entry point for leaders stepping into bigger visibility, sharper communication demands, or a new level of responsibility.
- 4 private 1:1 coaching sessions
- Executive presence and leadership strategy support
- Communication frameworks for key moments
- Career positioning review and next-step clarity
Most Popular
Executive Acceleration
$3,600
Best for leaders navigating promotion readiness, cross-functional influence, organizational change, or a high-stakes growth season.
- 8 private 1:1 coaching sessions
- Executive presence and leadership strategy support
- Communication frameworks for key moments
- Career positioning review and next-step clarity
- Strategic leadership development and advisory
- Communication and messaging frameworks for executive visibility
- Career trajectory planning and executive positioning support
- Email support between sessions
Executive Advisory
$7,200
An ongoing advisory partnership for senior leaders who want confidential strategic support while leading through complexity, scale, and pressure.
- 16 private 1:1 coaching sessions
- Executive presence and leadership strategy support
- Communication frameworks for key moments
- Career positioning review and next-step clarity
- Strategic leadership development and advisory
- Communication and messaging frameworks for executive visibility
- Career trajectory planning and executive positioning support
- Email support between sessions
- Priority scheduling for high-stakes seasons
- Strategic support during leadership transitions and major initiatives
- Executive communication, brand, and visibility strategy
- Long-range positioning for next-level opportunities