Elena Grakhantseva
Paris, France
Elena believes that every leader can grow while staying true to who they are. A former banker turned coach, she understands the realities leaders face and helps them gain clarity and lead with authenticity, vision and courage. Passionate about introversion, she takes particular joy in helping quieter leaders turn their natural strengths into real influence.
Gandhi
Career history
Elena began her career in banking in Russia before moving to France in 2002, where she earned a Specialized Master’s degree from a leading business school. After a first experience as Financial Controller in a technology company, she spent 14 years at BNP Paribas in the Risk and Compliance departments. Leading a team of credit analysts covering financial institutions in Central & Eastern Europe and Africa, she learned how much trust, cooperation and high standards matter when decisions carry high stakes. As Compliance Governance Officer, she then worked on large-scale organizational change projects, and saw first-hand that transformation succeeds only when people are truly brought along and share the vision.
She began coaching in 2019, first alongside her banking role, then full-time. Since 2025, she has been Head of Career Development at ESCP Business School, where she leads a team of career advisers who help the next generation of young professionals build the skills they need to grow their employability.
Coach expertise
As she approached 40, Elena realized that banking no longer fulfilled her. Her search for a new direction led her to coaching. She trained with Transformance Pro in 2017-2018 and later with the Co-Active Training Institute, then became certified in the Leadership Circle Profile and trained in organizations and relations systemic coaching (ORSC).
Her approach is concrete. With leaders, she often starts with a leadership assessment, then co-creates a development plan that helps turn new awareness into new behaviors. Her approach is also holistic: she sees her clients as whole, creative and resourceful people who don’t need to be fixed, but to gain clarity and find new ways to express themselves, both personally and professionally. Elena also takes real pleasure in facilitating groups and sharing knowledge, and finds working with teams deeply energizing.
What inspires her most is seeing people move from doubt to confidence. Her own path, from arriving in France with a small suitcase to reinventing her career at 40, has convinced her that change is always possible.
What people are saying about Elena Grakhantseva at Turningpoint
Behind Elena’s gentleness lies a quiet strength: she listens deeply, makes people feel safe, and helps them find the courage to change. She has a gift for making everyone feel welcome and understood.
Coach experience
- Certified Coach, Transformance Pro (2018)
- Certified Coach, Co-Active Training Institute (2023)
- Trained in Organization & Relationship Systems Coaching (ORSC)
- Certified Practitioner, Leadership Circle Profile
Career history
- Head of Career Development – ESCP Business School
- Compliance Governance Officer – BNP Paribas
- Head of Credit Team, Financial Institutions CEE & Africa – BNP Paribas
Academic qualifications
- ESCP Business School / MSc in Operational Management and Business Performance
- Udmurt State University, Russia/ Master’s level degree in Financial Management
Other commitments
- Pro bono coach at United World Coaches
An (incredible) international coaching and transformation consultancy, dedicated to developing authentic, innovative and collaborative leadership among executives, entrepreneurs, teams and organisations.
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Turningpoint specialises in leadership and executive coaching, both individual and group-based.