About Gina Riley
About me
Empowering executives to own their value, navigate career transitions with confidence, and land roles that align with their purpose.
I’ve spent my career on both sides of the hiring process, giving me a unique perspective on what it takes to secure competitive leadership roles. As an executive search consultant, I’ve led searches, trained corporate teams on effective talent selection, and witnessed firsthand what makes candidates stand out—or miss the mark.
Today, I guide leaders through career transitions with clarity and confidence using my proven Career Velocity™ framework—an actionable roadmap that helps you refine your story, market yourself strategically, and land the roles you’re after.
With a master’s degree in Whole Systems Design and certifications in Behavioral Interviewing, YouMap®, and Speaker Skills Academy coaching, I combine deep expertise with a practical approach to career strategy. My insights have been featured in the Forbes Coaches Council, on 50+ podcasts and webinars, and in my book, Qualified Isn’t Enough: Develop Your Story. Land the Interview. Win the Job.
My mission is simple: to demystify the hiring process and empower executives to own their value, take control of their careers, and create new opportunities instead of waiting for them.
If you’re ready to take that next step, let’s get started.
Joyce Ha VP of Buying & Merchandising, SKIMS (former Vans & Levi Strauss)
My Career Journey: From Human Resources and Executive Search to Executive Career Strategist
I’ve been passionate about growth, leadership, and communication since high school, when I led personal development programs and student leadership trainings. That early spark shaped everything that followed—from my time in corporate HR to launching Career Velocity™, my signature system that helps executives navigate career transitions with confidence and clarity.
Like many of the executives I coach, I’ve reinvented myself more than once. My path weaves together corporate HR, executive search, and interview skills training—disciplines that now fuel my coaching system, Career Velocity™.
Early in my career, I was on the front lines of hiring at Intel, recruiting engineers and managing a 500-student intern program during the Pentium processor boom. I didn’t know it then, but I was already learning what makes candidates and talent stand out.
Later, while living in the Cotswolds of the UK, I earned a master’s degree in Whole Systems Design before returning to corporate life as an HR Business Partner and strategic advisor. I loved helping leaders solve complex problems, but what I saw was this: even accomplished professionals struggle to tell their own career story with clarity and confidence.
After taking time to raise two incredible kids (and lead a school-wide grading project and a volunteer math lab while I was at it), I re-entered the workforce and reconnected with my former Intel colleague, Sherry Cadsawan of Talence Group. I began consulting on executive searches and leading interview training for boards and leadership teams. Over time, I saw a pattern: even highly capable leaders weren’t always prepared to navigate the interview process—or explain their value in a way that landed.
That realization led me to create the Career Velocity™ system—a comprehensive framework that equips leaders to communicate their strengths, align their next career move with what matters most, and show up as the candidate of choice.
Today, I blend deep HR expertise, search experience, and behavioral interview training into a career strategy approach that works. My clients include VPs, C-suite executives, and rising leaders across the country. I’m a certified YouMap® coach and creator of the UVP Scorecard™ Workshop. I’ve spoken on stages like DisruptHR, Career Thought Leaders, and the National Resume Writers’ Association, and I’m a regular contributor to the Forbes Coaches Council. I’m also the author of Qualified Isn’t Enough—because it isn’t.
When I’m not coaching or recruiting, I’m studying leadership trends, nerding out on interview data, or hiking through Central Oregon with my husband and kids. Our family is known for debating Marvel characters, baseball, playing music, and taking silly pictures.