OPERATING LEADERSHIP · STRATEGIC ADVISORY
I partner with private equity sponsors, boards and CEOs to accelerate growth, navigate change and build organizations ready for what comes next.
Let’s talkOperating experience. Strategic perspective. Measurable impact.
EXECUTIVE EXPERIENCE ACROSS
HOW I HELP
Senior executive experience for commercial scale, transformation and the decisions that shape growth.
Bring an operator’s perspective to portfolio priorities, commercial performance and leadership decisions.
Sponsor, portfolio company & board relationships
Work alongside a CEO to turn growth plans into a stronger commercial team, clear priorities and sustained execution.
Fractional President & operating executive engagements
Connect banking and payments expertise with practical opportunities for growth and better client outcomes.
Focused strategic initiatives & advisory mandates
SELECTED EXPERIENCE
More than 20 years across banking, payments and financial technology, from launching a new consumer product to building global sales capabilities and leading a PE-backed business.
As Head of Debit and Prepaid Product, sponsored the ground-up development and May 2012 launch of a transparent, lower-fee prepaid product for underserved customers. The team built a new system of record and community-based approach to marketing while drawing on Chase’s branch and ATM networks. The launch exceeded its weekly targets.
By year-end 2017, nearly 69% of Chase Liquid customers were new to Chase; Chase estimated that about half had previously been unbanked or underbanked.
Created the first global issuing solution sales team for Value Added Services, with account executives and managers supporting clients and core Visa sales teams across five regions. The solutions sold and managed by the team represented approximately $3 billion in revenue.
Also created a 24-month Client Services graduate program: 18 of 19 offers accepted for its first cohort, with all participants completing four six-month rotations.
As President, hired Chief Revenue and Chief Marketing Officers, established value selling, and introduced AI-enabled research, call preparation and pricing tools. The company achieved double-digit revenue growth during her tenure.
Developed quarterly sales reporting for the board and worked with board members on annual planning and key initiatives.
PRACTICAL AI
I start with the assumption that AI has a place in the business, then ask where human intelligence makes the result stronger and where routine, rules-based work can be handled independently.
At Payliance, I personally built Claude-based agents for prospect research, pre-call planning and seller coaching. One agent connected to Gong call recordings to surface missed client signals, suggest follow-up and recognize what a seller handled well. Research and pre-call tools deployed across the GTM team were estimated to save roughly four hours each time they were used.
I have also used AI to compare a role’s requirements with a candidate’s résumé and develop more targeted interview guides. It helps interviewers get to deeper questions faster; the hiring decision remains with people.
ABOUT PAULA
The best strategy is one a team can put into action.
I lead with care, candor and respect for people at every level. I use facts and data to make decisions, give constructive feedback, and help teams move forward together—even when the path is uncertain.
Through Paula Ley Advisory, I bring that approach to CEOs, boards and private equity sponsors scaling commercial teams, transforming businesses and building stronger cultures and communities.
I serve on the board of the Strategic Sales Initiative at The Ohio State University Fisher College of Business, where I helped shape its key pillars and support the next generation of sales leaders.
Connect with me on LinkedInLET’S TALK
If you’re considering a portfolio or board relationship, fractional leadership or a focused commercial initiative, I’d welcome a conversation.
Email PaulaBased in Columbus, Ohio.
Working with leaders and businesses nationwide.