Ross Riley

Founder & Lead Instructor

Ross Riley began his career on Wall Street at Salomon Smith Barney before moving to UBS Investment Bank to join their M&A group. Subsequently, he worked in Private Equity at Bear Stearns Merchant Banking (BSMB), before eventually discovering a love for teaching in 2006. Since then, Ross has amassed over 10,000 hours of front-of-the-class training time, leading both live and hybrid instruction for companies all over the world.

Ross founded Ascendant Training in 2025, after almost two decades of teaching, to re-focus on what makes teaching great: bringing real-life experience into the classroom and connecting with students to aid them on their journey of success. In teaching over 25,000 participants, he understands that students learn in different ways, and the curriculum of Ascendant is geared to be inclusive of all students and their learning paths.

Our mission

Our mission is to deliver world-class finance training taught by experienced practitioners, not just educators. We bridge the gap between academic theory and real-world application, equipping professionals and students with the practical skills they need to excel in corporate finance careers.

Our vision

Our vision is to train the next generation of finance leaders by delivering the most practical, real-world focused finance education available. We will expand from corporate training rooms to MBA programs and undergraduate campuses, ensuring students graduate truly prepared for the demands of modern finance careers.

Why Choose Ascendant?

Where Wall Street experience meets world-class instruction

man standing in front of people sitting beside table with laptop computers

Deep Industry Experience

Our training isn't taught by just any educators reading from slides. With 6 years as an investment banker and private equity professional, followed by 19 years of teaching experience, we bring 25 years of combined finance expertise to every session. This foundation means we understand not just the theory, but how these skills are actually applied in high-stakes business environments.

Real-World Insights in Every Lesson

At Ascendant Training, every concept is grounded in real-world application. We share actual deal experiences, common pitfalls, and industry best practices because we've lived them. Your team learns from someone who has built the models, closed the deals, and solved the problems they'll face on the desk.

Direct, Personal Customer Service

When you work with Ascendant Training, you work directly with your instructor from day one. There's no sales team, no CRM handoffs, no lost messages between departments. Your questions get answered by the expert who will teach your team. This direct relationship ensures your training is perfectly tailored to your needs and that you receive the responsive, personalized service you deserve.

Ready to Elevate Your Team?

Experience the Ascendant Training difference. Let's discuss how we can customize a training program for your organization.