Leading with Authenticity: The Story of Victoria Pelletier’s Success

Victoria Pelletier is a seasoned executive with a strong track record in driving enterprise transformation. She specializes in leading organizations through successful change initiatives that enhance efficiency, profitability, and long-term growth. With decades of experience, she thrives in dynamic environments where strategic vision, operational excellence, and people-centric leadership intersect. Beyond her corporate career, she runs Unstoppable You, where she leverages her expertise as a professional public speaker, published author, and executive and personal brand coach.


Through her speaking engagements and coaching, she empowers leaders and professionals to unlock their full potential, build influential personal brands, and navigate their transformation journeys with confidence and authenticity. At EliteX, we are proud to have Victoria Pelletier as part of the edition: 10 Extraordinary Women in Business, 2025.

Victoria initially set out to pursue a career in law, but her love for solving complex challenges and leading large teams led her down a different path. She quickly discovered her passion for enterprise transformation and navigating intricate business challenges. Her ability to turn around struggling businesses and lead large-scale change efforts became a hallmark of her career. This passion also inspired her to launch Unstoppable You, where she helps others build strong personal brands, lead with authenticity, and embrace change with confidence.

“You belong at the table, and if there isn’t a seat for you, don’t be afraid to build your own.”

One of Victoria’s early challenges was overcoming insecurity and imposter syndrome. Rising to executive leadership at a young age, she often found herself in rooms where she was not only the youngest but also the only woman. Experiencing discrimination fueled her determination to prove herself, but it also meant working twice as hard to be seen and heard. Balancing motherhood with the intense demands of an executive career and extensive travel added another layer of complexity. Over the years, she learned that success isn’t just about competence; it’s about showing up authentically. Leading with transparency, empathy, and integrity ultimately shaped her leadership style and her passion for helping others navigate their own journeys with confidence and purpose.

Victoria overcame these challenges through resilience, intentional growth, and a strong support system. She made a conscious effort to lean into self-reflection—acknowledging her doubts and reframing imposter syndrome as a sign of growth. She surrounded herself with mentors and peers who provided invaluable guidance. Balancing family and an executive career required her to set clear priorities, establish boundaries, and embrace the fact that perfection is a myth. She learned to focus on what truly matters and to give herself grace when things didn’t go as planned. By embracing authenticity and vulnerability, she built deeper connections, fostered trust within her teams, and became a more effective leader.

Among Victoria’s many achievements, her proudest accomplishment is raising two incredible children while building a career that has made a real impact. Professionally, she is proud of creating diverse, highly engaged workplaces that drive strong results. Whether turning around struggling businesses, leading large-scale transformations, or empowering leaders to reach their full potential, she has stayed true to her values of resilience, authenticity, and doing the right thing. Victoria realized her leadership was making an impact when she started receiving messages from people who told her how her work had inspired them to take bold steps in their careers and lives. One standout moment was when a leader she coached shared how her guidance not only helped them achieve career goals but also empowered them to show up more authentically in their personal life. Seeing the ripple effect of confidence and authenticity in others reinforced why she does what she does. Those moments—when someone tells her they’ve found their voice or made a breakthrough—remind her that her work goes beyond business; it’s about creating meaningful, lasting change.

“Be bold, be resilient, and be unapologetically yourself.”

What keeps Victoria motivated every day is the opportunity to make a meaningful impact. Whether helping organizations navigate complex transformations or empowering individuals to step into their full potential, she thrives on solving tough challenges and driving real, measurable change. She is also fueled by her passion for continuous learning and growth. Every day presents a new opportunity to push boundaries, challenge herself, and inspire others to do the same.

Victoria has been fortunate to have fantastic leaders throughout her career who have inspired her with their vision, integrity, and ability to lead with both strength and empathy. However, some of her biggest lessons came from experiencing the exact opposite—from leaders who showed her what not to do. Those experiences were invaluable in shaping her leadership style, reinforcing the importance of leading with transparency, vulnerability, and a genuine commitment to people. Her leadership style is what she calls ‘Whole Human Leadership’—an approach that balances resilience with authenticity, transparency, and empathy. Early in her career, she earned the nickname ‘Iron Maiden’ due to her tough, results-driven approach. Over time, she evolved into what she now calls the ‘Turtle’—not about slowing down, but about being intentional, strategic, and resilient while leading with empathy and care.

The values that guide Victoria are authenticity, integrity, empathy, and accountability. She firmly believes that ethical leadership and business success are not mutually exclusive; in fact, they go hand in hand. Diversity, equity, and inclusion are non-negotiables for her, as she strives to create spaces where everyone feels valued and empowered. To young women aspiring to start their own business, Victoria’s advice is simple—be bold, be resilient, and be unapologetically yourself. Success doesn’t come from having all the answers; it comes from having the courage to take the first step and the perseverance to keep going. Surrounding oneself with a supportive network, staying true to one’s values, and embracing failure as part of the journey are key to success.

Victoria handles failure and setbacks through ‘healthy resilience’—a framework that helps her navigate challenges with clarity, purpose, and growth. She takes the time to assess what went wrong, what she can learn, and how she can adapt. Failure, in her view, is just part of the journey, and with the right mindset and support, it can propel one forward stronger and wiser. In the next five years, Victoria envisions scaling her career and business to create even greater impact—leading larger, high-stakes transformations while expanding her reach as a professional speaker. She remains committed to making a lasting, transformative impact in both business and leadership.

Staying innovative and relevant in her industry is all about continuous learning, curiosity, and adaptability. She engages with thought leaders, leverages AI tools for efficient learning, and surrounds herself with diverse perspectives to ensure she is always evolving.

“Success isn’t just about competence; it’s about showing up authentically and vulnerably.”

Victoria believes in work-life integration rather than balance, focusing on outcomes rather than rigid schedules. She stays energized through fitness, music, socializing, and travel, all of which help her maintain focus and creativity.

The one message she wants to share with other women in business is: Own your power, trust your instincts, and never apologize for your ambition. Success requires courage, resilience, and authenticity. By building a strong personal brand, embracing challenges, and leading with integrity, women can carve out their own paths and make a lasting impact in the business world.