From Assistant to SVP.

I’ve Sat in the Room Where Promotion Decisions Are Made—And What I Learned Will Change the Way You Play the Corporate Game Forever.

Hi, I'm

I climbed the corporate ladder from the bottom to the boardroom—and sat in the rooms where promotion decisions were made. What I saw will change how you play the game forever.

I spent 25 years inside Fortune 500 companies leading HR, coaching executives, and advising CEOs on who to promote, when, and why.

Here’s what most talented professionals don’t realize: Promotions aren’t about hard work. They’re about positioning. And if you don’t know how to play the game, the game plays you.

That’s why I created The Promoted—so high-achievers like you stop spinning, start influencing, and finally become impossible to overlook.

Hi! I'm

My passion is teaching ambitious corporate leaders the secrets of the C-suite so they can stop unproductive hustle and finally get promoted

Growing up overseas with frequent international moves honed my unique ability to observe diverse people and situations. This skillset led me to a successful career in strategic human resources, where I eventually climbed the ladder to SVP and Head of HR for several F500 companies.

I’ve coached hundreds of high performers—from rising managers to seasoned directors—who were doing everything right but still weren’t getting promoted.

They didn’t need another course.

They needed to be taught the real rules.

That’s what I do.

What Most People Get Wrong:

You think promotions are about performance.

They’re not.

You think your boss will reward you when you're ready.

They won’t.

You think you just need more experience.

You don’t.

You need to learn how the game is really played.

That’s what no one tells you.

Until now.

I’m on a mission to share the secret rules of the corporate game with ambitious leaders who feel stuck and stagnant.

With The Promoted, I aim to

to bet on themselves and finally achieve their career goals.

Who I Am (and why it matters):

Hi, I’m Courtney O’Connell—former Fortune 500 Head of HR, executive coach to hundreds of leaders, and the person CEOs called when they were ready to name the next VP or SVP.

I started as an admin assistant, earned every title along the way, and climbed to the top of the corporate mountain. And I did it without burning out or selling my soul.

Now I teach ambitious leaders like you how to do the same.

But faster.

And smarter.

The Promoted is committed to transforming the careers and lives of ambitious corporate leaders, empowering them to secure the promotions they deserve. With 25 years of experience in the corporate world, we understand the deep connection between career dissatisfaction and overall well-being. Our mission is to cultivate leaders who are not only professionally successful but also deeply fulfilled—radiating renewed energy and positivity to their families, communities, and beyond. At The Promoted, we believe that true career advancement is rooted in personal growth and life satisfaction.

10 most important values and why they’re important to me in my company:

POTENTIAL

We look forward and set a high bar for your personal potential. We know what we (and you!) are capable of, and we won’t settle for being comfortable - we strive to capture the brass ring.

COURAGEOUSNESS

We are brave. We have the courage to step outside of our own line. We know this work isn’t always easy. We know that looking inwards can be hard…until it’s not. We lean into the bravery it takes to understand ourselves, then to demand of the world that which our soul desires.

CURIOSITY

We value this big wide world that we’re a part of, and know there’s a lot to learn about ourselves and each other. If you think you already know it all, this isn’t the tribe for you. We know how much we don’t know, and we lead with open and curious minds.

GROWTH

Our personal growth is deeply important. If you’re satisfied with yourself and your career, this isn’t the tribe for you. We are a group of growth-minded professionals who are ready and willing to invest their time and energy it takes to keep growing and developing…all in the pursuit of achieving our professional and personal aspirations.

OWNERSHIP

We own our conditions and experiences. We blame no one. We take full accountability. And we alone have the power to do something about it.

ENERGY

We approach life with energy and enthusiasm.
The pursuit of reaching our professional dreams is exciting!

COMMITMENT

We’re committed to what we put our minds to.
We do what we say we’re going to do. Period. Our tribe does, too.

DECISIVENESS

We don’t get stuck in analysis. We make sound decisions, then roll with them. We’re totally behind the Pareto Principle. And we know how much time can be wasted in analysis paralysis. We trust our instinct and know that no decision ever has to be final. Momentum begets progress!

CREDIBILITY

We’re the real deal. And our clients are, too. Don’t be fooled by the other “business / leadership coaches” out there. Check their experience. We are proud of the two-decades of perspective and experiences we bring to the table, and upon which our programs have been built and honed.

ACCOUNTABILITY

We hold ourselves and each other accountable.
We do what we say we’re going to do. Our tribe does, too.

ACCOMPLISHMENT

We strive for accomplishment. And celebrate when it happens. We’re here with a purpose in mind. Your achievements are deeply important to us, and we’ll be there to celebrate with you when they happen.

PLAYFULNESS

We don’t take ourselves too seriously. Life and work can feel serious and heavy. We love to take a more playful approach to balance that out - it’s okay to have a little fun along the way! :)