About Executive Career Upgrades

Jonathan Hawkins brings a unique blend of military discipline, executive-level marketing expertise, and real-world ECU success to his role as Chief Marketing Officer at Executive Career Upgrades.

Before joining ECU’s leadership team, Jonathan personally went through the same proven system that thousands of our clients use to land multiple six-figure roles. He’s lived the journey, from optimizing his own brand and network to securing a leadership position that aligns with his purpose. That firsthand experience shapes every marketing initiative he leads today.

At Executive Career Upgrades, Jonathan oversees all brand, advertising, and client-acquisition strategies designed to connect high-achieving professionals with the tools, guidance, and confidence to accelerate their careers. His approach combines data-driven marketing with ECU’s mission-driven message: helping Directors, VPs, and Executives land roles they love, faster and at higher compensation.

A proud U.S. military veteran, Jonathan is known for his precision, accountability, and passion for results. Under his leadership, ECU’s message continues to reach more professionals across the country through impactful workshops, content campaigns, and personalized outreach, turning proven systems into life-changing outcomes.

Cayce Madden is the Director of Technology at Executive Career Upgrades, where he oversees all technical operations, digital systems, infrastructure, and strategic innovation that power the company’s nationwide executive-level career coaching platform. Known for his sharp problem-solving ability, calm leadership under pressure, and commitment to operational excellence, he ensures ECU’s technology stack is secure, efficient, and scalable as the company continues to expand.

Before joining Executive Career Upgrades, Cayce served proudly in the United States Military, where he developed the discipline, resilience, and mission-driven mindset that define his leadership style today. His military background instilled in him an exceptional ability to quickly assess complex situations, implement structured solutions, and guide teams through high-stakes environments, skills he now applies to modern technology operations and executive support systems.

At ECU, he leads everything related to:

• System administration & platform oversight
• Technical support for staff and clients
• CRM architecture & workflow automation
• Data security & compliance
• Software optimization and tool integrations
• Process improvements across all tech-enabled functions

He works closely with leadership to ensure ECU’s technology is always aligned with company goals, client needs, and operational scalability. Whether it’s implementing new automation frameworks, diagnosing and resolving technical issues, or advising on strategic tech decisions, Cayce serves as the backbone of ECU’s digital infrastructure.

Driven by a passion for innovation and service, he brings a unique blend of technical expertise, military precision, and mission-focused leadership to every initiative. His goal is simple: to make sure ECU’s systems run smoothly, efficiently, and securely so the team can focus on delivering life-changing results for clients.

Where executives turn when the stakes are high.

Hayley brings a level of leadership maturity, intuition, and emotional intelligence that is rare in the career services industry. With 25 years at Marriott International, one of the most respected global brands in hospitality, she built a career mastering elite client experience, leading diverse teams, influencing high-stakes decisions, and delivering world-class results under pressure.

At Executive Career Upgrades, Hayley guides senior leaders through the most pivotal choice in their career journey: committing to a proven strategy that strengthens their positioning, increases their visibility, and supports a more aligned long-term career trajectory. She helps Directors through C-Suite executives cut through confusion, understand their true value, and make confident decisions about the path ahead.

Executives trust Hayley for her calm authority, her ability to build instant rapport, and her talent for guiding high performers through critical career decisions. After clients land, she reconnects with them as they step into their new role, supporting early team expansion. She also partners with leaders seeking for corporate hiring and strategic partnership solutions.

Outside of ECU, Hayley is deeply rooted in Michigan’s executive community, an active mentor, and a dedicated mother, giving her a grounded, real-world perspective on life, leadership, and the decisions that shape a meaningful career.

Executives choose ECU for the strategy.

They move forward because of Hayley.

Connect with Hayley on LinkedIn to learn more about her background and experience: 

Hayley Wertz

Megan Pedersen-Ramos is the Director of Client Services at Executive Career Upgrades (ECU), where she leads client interview preparation, job search strategy, and automation initiatives that help clients land high-quality interviews faster. She specializes in guiding professionals to strategically target the right roles, elevate their positioning, and leverage ECU’s proven consultative methodology to master interviews with clarity, confidence, and executive presence.

With over a decade of experience building and transforming client success functions, Megan has worked with a diverse range of clients from early-stage start-ups to multi-billion-dollar global organizations helping enhance client outcomes, strengthen engagement, and improve strategic hiring processes.
As a former seasoned headhunter, she has successfully placed over 5,000 candidates across multiple industries, including for companies exceeding $10M to over $1B in annual revenue. Her experience includes building a Client Success division for a digital marketing organization, where she implemented new corporate strategies, streamlined processes, and created scalable frameworks to improve client retention and performance.

Megan is passionate about equipping clients with the tools, strategy, and confidence to present themselves as the obvious choice. She believes that client success isn’t just about landing the offer, it starts with helping clients target the right opportunities, position themselves powerfully, and secure more interviews through a strategic, data-driven, and relationship-based approach.

At her core, Megan believes exceptional client outcomes begin with exceptional client experience.

Katie Britton, CPRW, NCOPE is an Executive Branding Expert who works with senior leaders across 100s of industries to drive career acceleration and positioning within various industries.

Katie has helped 8K+ professionals perfect their resumes by utilizing proven strategies that have led to high-percentage salary increases. She possesses an advanced degree in Journalism, as well as a business certification from Harvard Business School.

As an Executive Advisor at Executive Career Upgrades, Chelsi leads with a people-first and mission-focused approach to supporting clients from the moment they enter the program. As the initial point of contact for many, she ensures each client begins their journey with structure, clarity, and an understanding of how to move forward in alignment with their professional goals and priorities.

With a background in psychology and interdisciplinary studies, along with experience developing teams, refining client experience processes, and supporting individuals through meaningful career transitions, Chelsi brings both strategic insight and supportive guidance to her role. She is skilled at helping clients identify the strengths and accomplishments that define their impact, and she helps them communicate their value confidently and clearly as they move through the job search process.

At Executive Career Upgrades, Chelsi plays an active role in the client journey by providing structure, clarity, and support as clients move through the program. She helps clients stay engaged, build momentum, and take purposeful action toward their next career milestone, reflecting ECU’s commitment to a high-touch and results-driven client experience.

As an Enrollment Director at Executive Career Upgrades, I help senior leaders and executives navigate the pivotal moments in their careers guiding them through strategic enrollment, onboarding, and coaching alignment processes that unlock the next level of their professional success.

With over two decades of experience leading strategy, transformation, and business growth initiatives across consulting, technology, and global project management, I bring a unique blend of operational precision and human connection to everything I do.

Before joining ECU, I served as a Strategic Advisor, partnering with multinational organizations to optimize systems, strengthen leadership, and implement large-scale infrastructure and digital initiatives.

At ECU, I channel that same strategic mindset into helping high-achieving professionals clarify their goals, position their value, and ultimately land the role they Love and Deserve.

I help high-performing executives take back control of their careers, break through plateaus, and secure roles that elevate their impact and compensation.

As an Enrollment Specialist at Executive Career Upgrades, I work daily with Directors, VPs, and C-Suite leaders who know they’re capable of more — yet aren’t seeing that reflected in their current role or job search results. I help them get clear on the path forward and connect them with the proven systems and expert coaching needed to accelerate their next move.
Executive Career Upgrades has supported more than 8,000 professionals in landing opportunities where they are valued, challenged, and rewarded. With $50M+ in staffing and recruiting outcomes and recognition on the Inc. 5000, ECU is trusted by executives across every major industry.

Through a structured approach to branding, networking, and execution, we empower leaders to:

• Win interviews with companies aligned to their goals
• Maximize compensation and total rewards
• Rebuild momentum and operate with purpose again

This is about unlocking the full potential of exceptional leaders and helping them step into roles they were built for.

If you’re an established professional earning $150K+ and ready to make your next move the right one, let’s talk. I’ll show you exactly what’s working right now for executives landing six- and seven-figure opportunities faster than ever before.

Walker Barnes helps senior leaders and executives gain clarity, communicate their value with authority, and step into roles that match their experience and ambition.

Before joining ECU, Walker built a career in the entertainment industry as a producer and writer, working directly with investors, navigating complex deals, and pitching high-stakes projects to major decision-makers. That experience sharpened his ability to understand talent, position people powerfully, and guide high achievers through pivotal career transitions.

At ECU, he pairs direct, honest strategy with a data-backed system to help professionals accelerate their search, strengthen their personal brand, and move confidently into the next chapter of their career.

As the Creative Director at Executive Career Upgrades, Alex Hill leads the visual strategy and creative direction behind the company’s marketing and media presence. With a background in photography, videography, and digital content production, Alex brings a sharp eye for storytelling and brand consistency across every platform.

At ECU, Alex oversees everything from video production and social media campaigns to graphic design and brand development, ensuring every piece of content aligns with the company’s mission to empower executives in their career growth. Known for his hands-on approach and creative precision, Alex plays a key role in transforming complex ideas into compelling visuals that drive engagement and results.

Before joining ECU, Alex built a reputation for producing dynamic photo and video work across industries, blending technical expertise with a deep understanding of visual marketing. His passion for creative strategy and innovation continues to elevate ECU’s digital footprint and strengthen the brand’s connection with its audience.

As Vice President of Enrollment at Executive Career Upgrades, Luke Wehner helps senior leaders and executives navigate pivotal career transitions by guiding them through a proven, strategic enrollment and alignment process that accelerates their path to roles that match their expertise and aspirations.

With nearly a decade of client-facing experience in executive advising and sales strategy, Luke brings a deep understanding of how decision-makers think and how top professionals can position themselves for success in today’s market.

At ECU, he combines data-driven strategy with a personalized, human-centered approach to help high achievers gain clarity, communicate their value, and move confidently toward their next career opportunity.

Darek Smith is the Senior VP of Enrollment at Executive Career Upgrades, where he partners with high-level professionals who refuse to settle for being overlooked, underpaid, or unfulfilled. With a strategic, human-centered approach, he helps leaders take full ownership of their careers, communicate their value with clarity and confidence, and step into roles that align with both their ambition and their impact.

Darek believes that while a career may not define a person, it profoundly shapes their life, identity, and well-being. When work becomes draining, toxic, or misaligned, it affects everything, our mindset, relationships, and the way we show up for those who matter most. Helping executives break through those barriers is not just professional work to him, it is personal. He is driven by the ripple effect: when a leader’s career transforms, their family wins too.

A lifelong competitor and collaborator, Darek has contributed to winning environments at every stage: from a high school state championship and college conference title, to coaching a national championship junior college team, to top-performing roles in his business career. Today, he brings that same championship mindset to Executive Career Upgrades, a team dedicated to helping professionals unlock the next level of their leadership and compensation.

What Darek values above all else, however, is being a devoted husband and father, a source of pride that fuels his resilience, his humility, and his commitment to growth.

Known for his deep listening, solution-focused coaching, and relentless pursuit of excellence, Darek has studied under some of the nation’s top sales and influence experts and has consistently been recognized as a leader in every organization he has served. He takes pride not just in the results his clients achieve, but in the transformation they experience along the way. His mission: empower great leaders to live great lives, career included.

Emery Sage is a Client Appointment Coordinator at Executive Career Upgrades, where he plays a key role in connecting senior-level professionals with the resources and guidance they need to elevate their careers. Since joining the ECU team, Emery has focused on creating a seamless and positive first touchpoint for prospective clients, combining clear communication with a consultative, service-driven approach.

With a strong foundation in relationship building and client engagement, Emery ensures that every conversation is both meaningful and aligned with ECU’s mission to help high-achieving professionals accelerate their career trajectories. Known for their professionalism, responsiveness, and commitment to high-quality interactions, Emery contributes to a strong pipeline that supports ECU’s continued growth.

Outside of work, Emery is passionate about personal development and values creating genuine connections with others—qualities that shine through in every client interaction.

Matilda brings a rich background in sales and marketing, complemented by a strong knack for crafting effective media strategies for a wide spectrum of businesses, ranging from startups to global corporate giants. Her career journey has been marked by consistent top-ranking performances in sales. However, Matilda’s unwavering commitment to personal and professional growth led her to realize the constraints of staying within the confines set by others. Her deep-seated passion lies in helping individuals, targeting the right audience, and nurturing business growth.

Inspiration to Join Executive Career Upgrades

Matilda’s introduction to Executive Career Upgrades occurred through an introduction by Eric to Kristina. The immediate connection she felt with Kristina and the alignment of ECU’s values resonated deeply with her. ECU’s core mission of impacting lives, securing futures, and fostering legacies perfectly matched Matilda’s values. She thrives on working with individuals who seize control of their destinies, for she firmly believes that greatness favors those who take bold and decisive action. Her initial meeting with Tim, marked by his straightforward, no-nonsense approach, solidified her belief that she had found the right place to empower people to leave their mark on the world.

Approach to Working with Clients

Matilda’s approach to working with clients is founded on the belief that greatness is achieved through audacious action. She is known for her candid and open conversations with clients, fearlessly posing uncomfortable questions to unearth the real obstacles they face in their career pursuits. At ECU, they understand that clients receive what they convey, and Matilda is dedicated to helping them take bold and impactful steps to not only attain but surpass their career aspirations.

Enjoyments Beyond the Professional Realm

Beyond the world of career enhancement, Matilda is a creative spirit at heart. She finds solace in singing, dancing, painting, and cooking, pouring her heart and soul into these creative pursuits. In her creative zone, time seems to vanish, allowing her to immerse herself for hours on end.

Moreover, Matilda is an enthusiastic traveler, having explored 38 countries to date. Her wanderlust knows no bounds, and the only continent she has yet to explore is Africa, which tops her list of future destinations, along with the Caribbean and the Pacific Islands. Matilda relishes the experience of delving into different countries, cultures, people, cuisine, and local celebrations. The vibrant exoticism and high-energy atmospheres she encounters while traveling offer a stark contrast to her Swedish upbringing.

Connect with Matilda on LinkedIn

As a Strategic Director of Enrollment at Executive Career Upgrades, I help senior leaders and executives navigate the most pivotal transitions of their careers—guiding them through a proven, strategic enrollment and coaching alignment process that accelerates their path to the roles they truly want and deserve.

I bring nearly a decade of experience in Executive Recruiting and Corporate HR for top Fortune 50 and 100 organizations, including Walmart and Cisco. Throughout my career, I’ve partnered directly with C-suite and senior leadership teams to identify top talent, build high-performing organizations, and align business objectives with strategic hiring initiatives.
This background gives me a deep understanding of how executives are evaluated, how decision-makers think, and what it takes to stand out in today’s competitive market.

Before joining ECU, I led talent acquisition functions supporting enterprise-level hiring, leadership development, and organizational transformation. My work spanned sourcing, executive assessment, behavioral interviewing, and strategic workforce planning—experience I now leverage to help our clients position their value and secure multiple high-quality interview opportunities quickly.

At ECU, I combine my recruiting expertise with a high-touch, human-centered approach to enrollment. I help high-achieving professionals gain clarity, articulate their brand, and build the confidence and strategy needed to land roles that match their impact, values, and long-term goals.

Every day, I’m committed to empowering executives to break through plateaus, elevate their earning potential, and step into leadership roles where they can create meaningful change—both professionally and personally.