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About Finka

Finka specializes in the critical transition from technical expertise to strategic leadership.

Finka Inc.’s research-based approach helps high-performing individual contributors develop the people-centered skills they need to influence across departments, drive complex initiatives, and lead at the organizational level. 

Our research with corporate professionals revealed that 66% feel stuck in their careers, with 41% specifically stuck in career direction and 24% struggling to influence leadership.

We’ve identified exactly why this happens, and more importantly, how to fix it with proven 80% promotion success rates. 

Our Founder's Story

Finka Jerkovic (yer-ko-vik) founded Finka Inc. after discovering a critical gap in leadership development: most programs ignore the fundamental transition technical experts must make to become strategic leaders. 

Drawing from 25+ years of leadership experience in financial services, Finka witnessed firsthand how brilliant technical professionals struggled when promoted to leadership roles. Despite their expertise, they couldn’t influence peers, build cross-functional relationships, or drive strategic initiatives effectively. 

“I realized that technical excellence and hard work got people to mid-level positions, but strategic leadership requires entirely different capabilities,” Finka explains. “My research revealed that corporate professionals are most proficient in foundational people skills—teamwork, collaboration, empathy, emotional intelligence—but struggle with the strategic skills essential for advancement: executive presence, influence, transformational leadership, and strategic communication.” 

This insight led to extensive research revealing the specific skills gap that prevents advancement and the precise development pathway that creates measurable results.

Today, Finka has helped transform leaders in 100+ corporate companies across North America, with case studies showing 80% promotion success rates and participants achieving skill improvements of over 200% in key areas. 

Our Research-Based Approach

What distinguishes our methodology is the integration of breakthrough research with proven development techniques.

The Skills Transition Framework

What distinguishes our methodology is the integration of breakthrough research with proven development techniques.

Foundation-Level Skills
(Where They Excel):

  • Teamwork and collaboration. 
  • Emotional intelligence. 
  • Relationship building and networking. 
  • Listening and empathy. 
  • Resilience and agility. 

Strategic-Level Skills
(What They Struggle With but Need for Advancement):

  • Executive presence and personal branding. 
  • Cross-functional influence. 
  • Transformational leadership. 
  • Strategic communication and presentations. 
  • Pitching and selling ideas. 

Your Brilliant Difference®

Every leader possesses unique potential that, when properly developed and positioned, creates distinctive strategic value. Our methodology helps leaders: 

Identify their authentic leadership differentiators beyond technical expertise. 

Position their unique capabilities for maximum organizational impact. 

Build strategic relationships that amplify their influence and effectiveness. 

Create consistent leadership presence that supports advancement to senior roles. 

Edge Moves™

  • Precise developmental challenges that accelerate leadership growth.
  • Practical techniques for building influence, presence, and strategic impact.
  • Evidence-based approaches for navigating the discomfort of leadership transition.
  • Sustainable practices that create lasting behavioral change and capability.

The Results We Deliver

Our clients experience measurable transformation backed by proven data and real case studies. 

  • 80% promotion success rate among program participants. 
  • 43% of participants promoted while still in the program. 
  • Measurable skill improvements: +197% personal brand strength, +228% audience influence, +216% presentation confidence. 
  • Technical experts advance from foundational skills to strategic leadership capabilities. 
  • Emerging leaders gain the influence and presence needed for senior roles. 
  • Managers develop strategic thinking while building their teams. 
  • Stronger leadership pipeline with proven advancement pathways. 
  • Improved project success rates through leaders who can drive cross-functional initiatives. 
  • Enhanced retention of high-potential talent who see clear growth opportunities. 

Our Commitment

Backed by rigorous research and real-world results within 100+ corporate organizations, we’re committed to solving the specific challenge of developing technical experts into strategic leaders. Our approach delivers measurable results:  

  • 80% promotion success rates. 
  • Proven skill improvements of 200%+. 
  • Systematic advancement pathways that support both individual growth and organizational success. 

Research Proving 80% Promotion Success Rate

100+ Corporate Companies Served

10+ Years Developing Strategic Leadership

Connect With Us

Ready to develop your technical experts into strategic leaders who drive organizational results? Let’s start the conversation. 

Schedule Your Complimentary Leadership Development Audit