Empowering People Through Prioritization, Skill Optimization, and Mentorship
Discover a complete range of services for Management Consulting, Workload Balance, and Resource Development – all in one place.
The Story of Clear Path
Hi, I’m Carol. With over 30 years of experience in change, program, and project management, I’ve had the privilege of helping companies of all sizes and industries. One thing I’ve learned is that organizations consistently face the same challenges – lack of understanding how to best utilize team members on projects, non-existent or antiquated best practices, and struggles with leading and managing change.
Clear Path is the result of my passion to help others succeed by bringing together everything I’ve learned over the years into one knowledge base. Whether you’re a project manager refining your skills, a leader navigating complex issues, or a manager working to implement or enhance your Project Management Office (PMO) with consistent methodologies and processes, I’m here to help you succeed.
What do Project Management, Risk & Compliance, and Vendor Management all have in common?
Change!
Change is everywhere, in everything, all the time. We cannot avoid it. Change can come in the form of a large initiative, or in something as small as adjusting to new features of existing software. There’s an art in navigating change. Here is the secret: it always starts and ends with the people component.
I was once hired by a Wall Street client to manage the migration of 32 home-grown financial systems to a modern vendor platform. While the project was seen as a way to align the company with competitors and attract new clients, the team members, many of whom had developed the original systems, felt uncertain about their futures.
As Program Manager, my focus went beyond just executing the migration. I worked closely with the team, acknowledging their expertise and concerns. By balancing the sponsors’ goals with the team’s needs, I highlighted the importance of retaining key personnel—those with deep domain knowledge—to ensure the project’s success. They were essential in translating, maintaining, and evolving the data on the new platform.
This experience reinforced how crucial the human element is in any change process – balancing people, processes, and technology for long-term success.
“Carol has worked with Members Trust Company on projects of institutional, strategic importance. Her leadership, clarity of purpose, and methodology kept all stakeholders engaged, focused, and on-task to meet and exceed our project goals and timelines. For critical matters, Carol is my go-to. She has proven time and time again the difference a high level of professionalism and knowledge can have on outcomes.”
~ Neil Archibald, Members Trust Company
Why do projects continue to be delivered late and inefficiently when I have a strong team?
Do you know your team members?
I once had a client who hired me to manage their Quality Assurance (QA) group. The company was trying to launch a new architecture platform. A team of 30 people was assembled from multiple recruiting firms. These people were by-and-large exceptionally competent. The challenge was, they were all cobbled together and asked to do their job, without being given much structure, direction or support.
As Program Manager, I made it a priority to carve out time to meet with each person individually, to get to know them a bit. This was an immediate win, because they no longer felt un-tethered from the project. They had someone there to support them. From there, I built out a project plan and updated this with the QA team on a regular basis. We were partners in making this plan succeed.
As I got to know the team members better, transformation started to happen. Some were shy, but they had a lot to offer. By understanding their career goals, I was able to give them new opportunities, like leadership roles or specialized training in the latest tools. This boosted their confidence, skill set, and job satisfaction.
In the end, it wasn’t just about getting out a better product. It was about investing in the team’s growth. The result? Higher retention, better outcomes, and a stronger, more cohesive team.
“Carol has worked with my company as a project manager for two years, bringing two processes to fruition. Carol is hard-working, meticulous, has great ideas, and always keeps the project team on track. Her diligence and work ethic are awe-inspiring. She brings out the best in everyone with her tutelage and mentorship. The next time we have a project, my first call will always be to Carol.”
~Kristin Hosack, Members Trust Company
Does your company have difficulty balancing between too much and too little structure in the way you handle project management?
The magic is in finding the sweet spot based on the company’s culture.
I’ve worked with clients who have had everything from no project management framework to one that was overly rigid. Both extremes can hinder progress. The challenge is finding that sweet spot to support the culture.
One client had a PMO-like group with project managers, some best practices, and basic reports. While their culture avoided bureaucracy, it worked fine until the company grew. To keep projects on track, I needed to introduce just enough structure without disrupting their culture.
How was I able to help? I took the time up-front to understand the company’s culture. What had worked for them in the past? What might not be working for them now, and why? Then, I implemented small changes that had an immediate impact: a simple governance structure, a consistent weekly status report, a project plan template for both business and tech teams, and a cheat sheet for managing projects, with associated deliverables and templates.
This approach fostered smoother collaboration, clearer communication, and stronger results.
“Carol is a pivotal mentor for me as I embark on my journey as Co-Founder and CPO of a new startup. She jumped into the weeds with me to walk through what my goals, challenges, and visions were, and with her awareness and motivation was able to meet me exactly where I was and provide the words of support and mentorship I needed in that exact moment to kickstart company initiatives. As I embark on my Co-Founder journey, having Carol’s wisdom and experience in the business world has given me the empowerment and confidence to really lean into this new chapter.”
~ Maya E., VirtualData.io
Clear Path Management Consulting Services
We offer comprehensive services based on the unique needs of each client and customize our deliverables to work optimally for your organization.
Mentorship
Implemented project management in an environment and training staff for a high-tech company
Mentored people new to project management to grow in their career for a hedge fund firm
Voluntary mentorship to people new to their career or re-entering the workforce
Vendor Negotiation / Vendor Management
Managed Trust platform projects on SEI’s Strategic Wealth Platform (SWP)
Managed the migration of financial applications to Thomson Beta Systems
Managed investment projects using Informa Investment Solutions
Change Leadership / Change Management
Managed workflow enhancement and operational efficiencies for a credit union
Integrated Business and Technology departments’ methodologies to work cohesively at a brokerage firm
Program / Project Management
Managed programs and projects for Ultra-high Net Worth and Private Bank groups for a bank
Implemented a framework and instilling best practices to help provide structure for a credit union
Managed SharePoint Online upgrade for a hedge fund firm
Management Consulting / Advisory
Merged ultra-high net worth groups due to a banking merger
Managed projects being migrated to a new vendor Trust platform for a bank
Advised executives on organizational reorganization, prioritization, and delegation for an investment firm
Risk Management / Compliance
Created framework to track internal audit’s review and attestation for controls and procedures
Managed Matters Requiring Attention (MRAs) and Consent Orders to prepare for the regulator reviews for a bank
Ready to Unlock Untapped Potential for Your Team or Organization?
Clear Path Solutions
We provide targeted solutions tailored to meet the unique needs of each client, addressing their specific challenges and goals. Our current solutions include: Workload Balance Process, and Cross-Departmental Insights Process.
Workload Balance Process
Imagine your workload as an overstuffed closet, ready to burst open. Eventually, you have to take action before things spill over. That’s where the Clear Path Workload Balance process comes in.
We work closely with you to organize and streamline your tasks through a proven method. First, we assess your workload, prioritize tasks, identify opportunities for delegation, and create a customized action plan. This approach benefits executives, managers, and team members alike, empowering you to work smarter, not harder.
The magic happens in our connection with you. Once we organize your workload, you’ll feel the relief and empowerment of a balanced, manageable path forward.
A Real-Life Example
An executive at a financial firm was promoted to COO and needed to offload responsibilities across two departments to focus on his new role. In our initial meeting, I took time to understand his goals and challenges. Over several sessions, we crafted a detailed workload plan, outlining what was delegated, who took on the tasks, and how to transition smoothly. The result? A clear action plan with tactical recommendations and periodic check-ins to keep him on track and empowered.
Ready to regain control of your workload?
Cross-Departmental Insights Process
At Clear Path, we’ve seen firsthand how departments often struggle with communication and role clarity. This lack of connection not only leads to confusion within teams but also leaves people feeling unheard and undervalued. Listening to your team is key to fostering loyalty and strengthening your organization.
Our Cross-Departmental Insights Process was designed to bridge these gaps by connecting team members both within and across departments. This proven approach identifies essential questions to ask, gathers feedback, and transforms that data into actionable insights and recommendations.
A Real-Life Example
When a financial firm noticed discord within and between departments, they turned to Clear Path for help. We worked closely with sponsors to identify key questions, engaged teams in open discussions, and gathered valuable feedback. We then summarized the data into clear themes, created an action plan, and shared it with everyone involved to ensure their voices were heard. The result? Boosted morale, stronger connections, and improved project quality.
Ready to bring clarity to your team and resolve key challenges?
“Working with Carol Ornstein at Clear Path Methodology has been an incredibly positive experience. Her expertise in change management consulting has been invaluable, especially in helping our employees navigate workload balance and transitioning roles within Trilogy Financial. Carol's experience working with C-level executives has brought a strategic perspective to the table, ensuring a smooth and effective process at all levels of the organization. Her personalized approach and dedication have made a significant difference. Highly recommend her services!”
~Eric Perkins, Trilogy Financial