CFOs stepping into private equity-backed roles face an immediate and unforgiving mandate: deliver measurable results fast. The expectations are steep, timelines compressed, and the margin for error slim. For finance leaders navigating this terrain, trusted and targeted support is essential. NEXT New Growth, led by former Fortune 500 executive and CFO coach Edith Hamilton, offers a focused solution for CFOs who need to lead decisively from day one.
This 2025 review examines how her firm delivers real value through strategic executive coaching built specifically for high-performing finance leaders.
What Is NEXT New Growth?
NEXT New Growth is an executive coaching firm specializing in one-on-one coaching for CFOs, particularly those operating in private equity portfolio companies. The firm is led by Edith Hamilton, a seasoned CFO and executive with more than 25 years of experience across private equity, Fortune 500 corporations, and high-growth startups.
NEXT is not a generalist coaching platform. Its unique value proposition lies in its razor-sharp focus on executive coaching for CFOs, especially those in their first 90 days, where the stakes are highest. The firm has achieved the distinction of being ranked #1 on Google Search for CFO Coaching in 2022, 2023, and 2024, a signal of both demand and trust in Hamilton’s approach.
Coaching engagements at NEXT are built around tailored frameworks co-created with each CFO client and their sponsor (typically the CEO or PE operating partner). The focus is not simply on executive development in the abstract, but on concrete outcomes such as operational leadership, boardroom influence, team effectiveness, and transformation readiness.
Why The Need For Executive Coaching For CFOs?
CFOs today are expected to be more than just financial stewards. They must lead digital transformation, drive cost efficiency, create scalable systems, and function as strategic partners to CEOs and boards. For CFOs within private equity-backed companies, these demands are further magnified by the urgency of timelines and the pressure to produce high multiples.
This is where executive coaching becomes critical. The first few months in a CFO’s role, often described as the “First 90 Days,” are a pivotal period that can define long-term success or failure. Yet this is also when new leaders can feel the most isolated. NEXT New Growth steps in precisely at this juncture, offering confidential, high-impact coaching behind the scenes. It is a way for CFOs to accelerate performance, avoid costly missteps, and align quickly with both leadership teams and investor expectations.
Edith Hamilton’s dual background, deep finance and operational leadership combined with professional coaching credentials, makes her particularly effective. She has lived the challenges CFOs face, from M&A execution to organizational restructuring, and she knows how to guide others through them.
Pros Of Choosing NEXT New Growth:
1. Deep CFO Expertise With Proven Results
Unlike many executive coaches who come from HR or academic backgrounds, Edith Hamilton brings direct CFO experience. She has held P&L responsibility for a $75 million division, led M&A transactions, and scaled both corporate and startup environments. Her coaching is grounded in firsthand knowledge, not theory.
2. Tailored, Results-Oriented Frameworks
Every coaching engagement is customized. This is not a one-size-fits-all program. Whether a CFO needs to improve boardroom presence, shift from tactical to strategic leadership, or build a stronger executive team, the coaching plan is built around those specific goals. The result is measurable outcomes, often producing a 4x to 6x ROI on investment.
3. Trusted By Top-Tier Clients
NEXT’s roster includes CFOs of well-known public companies like Telus International and LegalZoom, and PE-backed firms such as EP Wealth Advisors and TigerConnect. This speaks significant volumes about the firm’s credibility and the high bar it maintains.
4. High-Touch, Low-Noise Engagements
Edith works selectively. This allows her to go deep with each client, maintaining a high level of personal investment and attention. Weekly check-ins and full-day in-person sessions are designed to recharge executives and keep them focused on what matters most.
5. First 90 Days Specialization
Many CFOs engage NEXT precisely because the first 90 days in a new role are uniquely challenging. The firm’s ability to support leaders during this make-or-break period is one of its most defining differentiators.
Potential Cons Of Working With NEXT New Growth:
1. Limited Availability
Due to the fact that Edith works selectively, there may be limited openings for new clients. High demand and a boutique model mean that not every interested CFO will secure a spot.
2. Not A Fit For Non-CFO Roles
While the firm also supports COOs and other executives in the PE ecosystem, its clear specialization is CFO coaching. Leaders from different functions may not find the same level of tailored relevance.
3. Premium Investment
Given the depth of engagement and the quality of service, NEXT’s coaching is priced at a premium. While the ROI often justifies the cost, smaller firms or budget-conscious companies may find it a stretch.
The Power Of Contextual Insight:
One of NEXT New Growth’s most valuable attributes is its contextual awareness of the private equity environment. Edith Hamilton has sat at the intersection of finance and operations in healthcare, IT, and service sectors, industries where PE activity is brisk and expectations are sky-high.
Her familiarity with both buy-side and sell-side dynamics, along with experience working under top-tier CEOs and with portfolio companies backed by major firms like Welsh Carson and Vista Equity Partners, allows her to navigate complex executive landscapes with ease. She understands what PE firms look for in leadership teams, and she brings that insight directly into her coaching engagements.
This context makes her guidance not only theoretically sound but also situationally relevant. Whether it is preparing for a board meeting, managing upward with PE sponsors, or dealing with internal team friction, her clients benefit from pragmatic solutions rooted in experience.
Final Verdict:
NEXT New Growth is not just another coaching firm. It is a strategic asset for CFOs who want to lead effectively under pressure, especially within private equity-backed environments. At the helm is Edith Hamilton, a coach who brings unmatched operational credibility, a clear understanding of financial leadership, and a highly personalized coaching approach.
Its USP is not just marketing spin. This is executive coaching for CFOs, ranked #1 on Google Search for CFO Coaching in 2022, 2023, and 2024. Edith Hamilton works selectively with CFOs of companies ranging from $75 million to $2 billion, and is frequently sought out by finance leaders in their first 90 days to ensure success behind the scenes.
For those entering high-stakes roles or navigating pivotal transitions, NEXT offers both clarity and leverage.
While its narrow specialization and high-touch model may not be ideal for everyone, for the right CFO at the right time, the value is undeniable. In 2025, as the demands on finance leaders continue to intensify, having a coach who understands both the numbers and the nuance is more critical than ever.
Discussion about this post