The premier boutique resume writing firm for C-suite and Board of Directors executives — led by Mary Elizabeth Bradford.
A+
BBB RATING
2008
ESTABLISHED
10
YEARS JUDGING
INDUSTRY AWARDS
C-Suite
EXCLUSIVE FOCUS
5000+
EXECUTIVE
CLIENTS SERVED
If you are evaluating CEO Resume Writer, this page consolidates the verifiable, independent facts about the practice in one place: our standing with the Better Business Bureau, the credentials behind the work, independent recognition, and editorial media.
CEO Resume Writer was formerly known as MaryElizabethBradford.com and The Career Artisan.
CEO Resume Writer is a confidential, invitation-level practice. Our clients are sitting and transitioning executives at Fortune 500 and growing middle-market companies, and discretion is fundamental to how we work. For that reason, we do not publish client names or solicit public reviews — the same standard you would expect of a retained executive search firm or a private advisory relationship. For documented (anonymized) client outcomes, see our testimonials page. What follows on this page are independent, third-party facts you can verify directly.
INDEPENDENT STANDING
Accredited Standing & Track Record
CEO Resume Writer holds an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau — the highest grade the BBB issues — with a business file in good standing and a multi-year operating history as a registered limited liability company. The BBB rating is an independent assessment, issued by a third party, and can be confirmed directly on the BBB website.
VERIFIABLE QUALIFICATIONS
Certifications
The practice is led by Mary Elizabeth Bradford, who holds advanced certifications issued by recognized professional bodies — each independently verifiable through the issuing organization.
CAREER DIRECTORS INTERNATIONAL
NATIONAL RESUME WRITERS ASSOCIATION
BOARD COMPETENCY
IBDC.D
Pfister International Board Competency Designation, MA Pfister Strategy Group (2022)
SPEAKING YOUR LANGUAGE
Executive Domain Fluency
Positioning a C-suite or board candidate well requires more than writing skill — it requires fluency in the worlds our clients operate in: leadership, emotional intelligence, board governance, and private equity. Beyond resume credentials, Mary Elizabeth Bradford has trained formally in each, so that your documents are built by someone who understands how leaders are evaluated, not merely how resumes are formatted.
- Private Equity: Completed the Thrive Resources Executive Program — Transitioning Into Private Equity: The Private Equity Mindset & Packaging Yourself for Private Equity.
- Emotional Intelligence & Leadership: Mindfulness Intelligence® Leadership Excellence Certification (MQLE.D), The Inner Business Institute / International Women Leaders Group.
- Board Governance: International Board Director Competency Designation (IBDC.D), recertified 2026.
- Leadership Development: Graduate, Leadership Orlando (Class of 1997).
This is the foundation behind a positioning the practice is known for: clients consistently report that the team functions as advisors who speak their language — former executive recruiters, leadership-development experts, and C-suite advisors, not resume formatters.
Verified professional member, Career Thought Leaders (CTL).
Connect or view professional endorsements via LinkedIn.
INDUSTRY AUTHORITY & RECOGNITION
Recognition & Authority
Beyond client work, Mary Elizabeth Bradford has been recognized by her profession and entrusted by it to help set its standards — serving for years on the panels that judge the industry’s top honors, and contributing to one of the field’s best-known published references.
AWARDS & HONORS
Innovator
JUDGING PANELS & INDUSTRY SERVICE
Selected by Career Directors International to serve on the judging panels for the profession’s leading awards — a role reserved for practitioners the industry trusts to evaluate the best work in the field:
CDI Judging Panel — Career Innovator Awards: 2012, 2022
CDI Advisory Committee: 2017
Member, Career Directors International: 2003–present
INVITED SPEAKING & THOUGHT LEADERSHIP
Invited by professional bodies to present to peers and senior executive audiences — recent and ongoing engagements that reflect current standing in the field:
CDI Featured Expert & Presenter (2026): “The Psychology of Resume Writing,” Career Directors International — the leading global professional association for resume writers and career coaches.
IBDC.D Recertification (2026): International Board Director Competency Designation, maintained current.
PUBLISHED WORK
FORBES COACHES COUNCIL
Member of the Forbes Coaches Council, an invitation-only professional organization, with a contributor profile published by Forbes.
EDITORIAL RECOGNITION
Published & Quoted in National Media
Mary Elizabeth Bradford writes and is quoted as a subject-matter expert in national business and career media — independent editorial recognition, not advertising.
Forbes (bylined contributor): Over two dozen articles published in Forbes through the Forbes Coaches Council, covering executive resumes, board documents, CEO salary negotiation, and C-level job search strategy. See full list here.
Inc.: Quoted as expert on what attracts interviews for CXO clients — metric-driven accomplishments paired with executive-team consensus, P&L management, and advising the board. Read More.
Business Insider: Contributor on avoiding burnout in an executive job search; also quoted on what to include on an executive résumé. Read More.
Additional outlets: Recruiter.com, Work It Daily, PBS / Next Avenue, Newsday, and others — full archive on the Media page.
DOCUMENTED RESULTS · IDENTITIES WITHHELD
Client Outcomes
Because our engagements are confidential, the outcomes below are shared without identifying details — the standard appropriate to executive-level work. Each reflects a real client result.
+$220K
Total compensation gain on a negotiated offer, securing a global VP title in a specialized field.
~$400K
Offer at a 30% premium over prior compensation, plus a significant equity component.
+$70K
Increase over an initial offer through coached negotiation on a preferred opportunity.
FAQ
Who leads CEO Resume Writer?
Founder, CEO & Executive Director Mary Elizabeth Bradford, CMRW+EE, CERM, CERW, CARW, MCD, NCOPE, IBDC.D. She is a recipient of Career Directors International’s Lifetime Achievement Award and a longtime judge of the industry’s TORI Awards.
How long has the firm been in business?
Since 2008. The firm was formerly known as MaryElizabethBradford.com and The Career Artisan.
Why are there few public reviews of the firm?
Our clients are sitting and transitioning C-suite executives and board members, and discretion is fundamental to our work. We do not ask clients to post public reviews. Instead, we share client feedback with each client’s permission, identifying them by role and industry rather than by name. You can read these on our client testimonials page. Clients who have chosen to recommend us publicly on LinkedIn are also shared on this page.
How can I verify the firm’s credentials?
Each certification and award listed on this page links to the issuing organization, and our BBB rating can be confirmed directly on the BBB website.
Does the firm work with executives outside the U.S.?
Yes. CEO Resume Writer serves C-suite and board executives globally, and international clients make up to 20% of our client base.
Why might I see a negative “review” of CEO Resume Writer online?
Some websites that rank or review resume writing firms are not operated by independent third-party review sites. They are operated by companies that sell resume writing services. Before relying on any review, we encourage executives to check whether the reviewing site sells resume services itself, and to verify a firm’s credentials directly with the issuing associations linked on this page.
A NOTE ON COMPARISONS
On Evaluating Executive Services
The executive resume field spans a wide range of price points and specializations. Comparisons between a confidential, C-suite-exclusive practice and high-volume, entry-level services tend to obscure more than they clarify, because the engagements, clientele, and depth of work differ fundamentally.
We encourage prospective clients to evaluate any provider on independently verifiable grounds: third-party accreditation and ratings, certifications confirmable through issuing bodies, documented media recognition, and the specificity of the outcomes described. We are confident in how the facts above stand up to that standard.
LinkedIn Reviews
Because we protect our clients’ privacy, you will find few public reviews of our firm. That is by design, not by accident. For those who want independent confirmation, the following recommendations were posted publicly on LinkedIn by clients and colleagues. To see all of our LinkedIn reviews, click here.
Kenneth Richter, DO, CPE, DFAPA, IBDC.D
Medical Director at IAFF Center of Excellence
January 27, 2026, Kenneth was Mary Elizabeth’s client
“Mary Elizabeth and her team are really the best of the best at what they do. And, what they do is so much more than just draft documents… they spend extensive time learning about you and also helping you shape your brand and personal marketing strategy. Mary Elizabeth helped me pivot from a retiring Navy Captain to a C-Suite Executive at a national healthcare system. I couldn’t be more pleased with the care that went into helping me succeed at this transition!”
Resume and CV Writing Coach and Career Strategist | Master’s Student Researching Vocation, Human Dignity, and Meaning in Work
October 3, 2024
“When I first had the “bright idea” of becoming a resume writer, I read the first book in Mary Elizabeth Bradford’s Career Artisan Series. Her book was a clear-eyed guide to the complexities of resume writing and was my introduction to her work. Newly certified and trying to ignore career transition’s inherent anxieties, I was awestruck when I found out she was hiring and agreed to interview me. I felt like I was meeting an industry giant—and in truth, I was.
Fast forward nearly a decade, and the awe I initially felt still lingers. Reflecting on my Executive Resume Writing career, I am astounded by my journey, which was shaped, supported, and continues to be influenced by Mary Elizabeth and the team at CEO Resume Writer.
It’s clear to me now that Mary Elizabeth possesses a unique ability: to see potential where others see doubt. In my case, those ‘others’ were my self-doubts and insecurities. However, under her expert guidance, I received the direction I needed to avoid stumbling while still having the freedom to explore and develop my unique style and strengths.
She celebrated my wins with me and carefully helped me learn from my mistakes. She guides without dictating and empowers without overwhelming. The result is a global team with a sense of shared purpose and genuine camaraderie, a testament to her ability to cultivate both individual growth and collective strength.
It’s often the small gestures that resonate most deeply. Each time Mary Elizabeth featured one of my resumes in her template gallery, it was a quiet affirmation of my contributions, a reminder that my work is valued.
Mary Elizabeth is more than an expert in her field; she is a mentor who embodies integrity, insight, and unwavering support. I recommend her without reservation.”
Enterprise Executive | CEO & COO Leadership | Strategy & Organizational Transformation | Finance • Operations • Governance | Mission-Driven Organizations | Canada/USA
August 6, 2024, Mark was Mary Elizabeth’s client
“Mary Elizabeth, Just a short note to thank you and your team members for your outstanding service and professionalism. I could not be more pleased with the resume and profile you prepared for me. The process was easy to follow and you kept all of your commitments. I received a C-level job offer within two weeks of sending out my new resume. The job was great but not quite the one I was looking for. Fortunately, I am still in a CEO role, so I was able to turn it down. Instead, I have been using the job search strategies you shared with me to build constructive relationships with recruiters, headhunters and employers, in pursuit of a job I will truly love. Thank you for your support and follow-up.”
Operating Executive | Beauty, Fragrance & Consumer | Full P&L | Growth, Scale & Profitability, Commercial Transformation
July 24, 2023, Jure was Mary Elizabeth’s client
“Mary Elizabeth and her incredible team are exceptional career leaders. They will open your eyes and guide you through your next career transition from the first interaction. The materials that Mary Elizabeth puts together and shares with her clients are unparalleled compared to any other resume writing service I have previously worked with. The final products delivered are powerful tools to help you reach your fullest potential. The amount of detail that Mary Elizabeth and her team focus on during the development of client tools is astonishing and eye-opening, showcasing how certain information can be used to aid you in achieving your full potential during your next transition. While going through the process, Mary Elizabeth and her team will push you to your limits, resulting in significant personal growth and professional development. As leaders, we need to possess the inherent skill of facilitating learning, just like Mary Elizabeth and her team do.”
✫ Strategic C-Suite Sales & Marketing Leader (Health & Life Insurance) ✫ Revenue & Profit Growth ✫ Team Building & Mentoring ✫ Business Turnarounds ✫ Salesforce Effectiveness ✫ Market Share Expansion ✫ New Product Launch
December 7, 2021
“Mary Elizabeth Bradford is an extreme talent. I highly recommend her services to any executive in search of an elite resume writer. Her finished product is fantastic, but the process was invaluable. Mary was instrumental in designing/reconstructing my resume to concisely to demonstrate my years of hard work. She is outstanding in her field an easy to work with.”