Michael O. Lewis
Executive Search, CEO, Founder
"My career manager pushed me beyond where I thought I could be, and gave me new levels of confidence in my abilities."
Michael's Career Journey
See how Michael’s career evolved compared to our benchmark.
Upskilling
Left the bank
Promoted to manager
Vice President
Career Manager & Director
Career transition
Head of Financial Services
Michael's Turning Points
Hello Canada!
At 13, he immigrated to Canada, navigating a new culture and living with his mother and two younger siblings. Michael held 2 part-time jobs during high school — fast food and telemarketing — which instilled valuable customer service and sales skills.
Fortuitous Science Student Turned Banker
Despite financial constraints, a full scholarship propelled him to the University of Toronto to study Sciences. A summer job at TD during his undergrad sparked an interest in banking and led to a full-time role after graduation.
Upskilling
Although he did not have a business degree, Michael excelled at building relationships and providing financial advice. Banking inspired him to pursue an MBA and the CFA charter to supplement his on-the-job learnings.
Career Crisis and Transition
While working his “dream job” at a private equity firm in 2018, Michael felt stretched and needed additional support. By perfect chance, a career coach reached out to him and Michael agreed to meet. They connected well and Michael has been working with him since. When the private equity firm restructured in 2019, Michael’s career coach was instrumental in helping him discover his forward path.
To the surprise of many industry colleagues (but not to his career coach), Michael made the unconventional decision to passed upon lucrative job opportunities to pursue a career in executive placement. Michael wanted to help companies make better decisions about people.
Michael has since excelled within the executive placement industry and was appointed as the Global Head of Financial Services for a top tier, Forbes ranked global executive search firm.
Starting A Company
In 2025, Michael founded and launched careerNPV. careerNPV was founded in response to the significant number of Canadians trying to figure out what to do in this ever changing employment environment.
As an executive placement consultant, Michael gets daily outreach about career guidance. This has increased significantly over the years.
Canadians are trying to figure out what to do and they are doing it alone. It’s a trial and error approach and it doesn’t work in an increasingly complex employment market. The more fortunate Canadians get a career coach but it’s expensive and out of reach for most.
careerNPV aims to make effective career management accessible to everyone.