Career Coaching, Events, and Resources

Having developed a multi-industry, multi-continent career, I have personal experience in myself and coaching others in navigating unique and non-traditional career paths and pivots.

Meet Michelle Brenner, a Senior Software Engineer at Netflix with over 15 years of experience in the tech industry. As a self-taught engineer, she has learned how to find success off the beaten path. If your career is at a standstill and you are ready to get that next raise, promotion, or even switch careers, Michelle is the one to help you. While she has primarily worked with clients looking for tech jobs, she has helped people from Marketing to Sales find the next step. As a job branding expert, she can help you craft your resume, online presence, and networking plan so your next job comes to you. She will walk you through the steps that helped her get from Art School to a Senior Engineer. Let's connect and take your career to the next level!

• Stanford GSB MBA Candidate – Class of 2027 • Coaching | Case prepped and mentored 30+ undergraduate and MBA students • Bain | Worked for Bain & Co. before school, focusing on retail and consumer case work • Startup | Grew wholesale for a men’s athleisure brand from $0 to $4M • Resumes | Edited 50+ resumes in undergrad and reviewed 200+ resumes as Bain recruiting lead • Speech & Writing | Wrote and delivered commencement speech for Miami University Farmer School of Business graduation ceremony • Interview Training | Trained as Bain interviewer to score case interviews and behavioral questions • GMAT / Test-taking | Scored in highest percentile of GMAT test-takers

I am passionate about the intersection of business and technology. I have an MBA from The University of Chicago Booth School of Business and hold a BS in Business Administration from UNC Kenan-Flagler. I have supported Admissions Committee interviews and TA'd Negotiations classes at Chicago Booth. From a professional perspective, I am currently Head of Operations at AirGarage, a Series B startup, after spending my first 1.5 years at the company as a GM, owning an 8-figure P&L. Prior to this, I led strategic pilot projects at Scale AI in the Generative AI space. Prior to this, I worked at Instacart for over 5 years where I helped scale Operations from Series D all the way through IPO. My experience began when I learned to solve for cold starts by launching markets across the US and Canada. Eventually this turned into a Senior Manager role where I led strategy and operations for our Canadian markets. Prior to Instacart, I have experience as a IBM Digital Strategy Consultant supporting retail clients. Over the years, I have successfully coached several individuals, helping them navigate the complexities of business strategy and operations. Whether you're looking to break into top companies, advance your career, or considering a top MBA program, I'm here to provide tailored guidance. Feel free to reach out to start your journey towards success!

I tripled my salary in 5 years and negotiated a fully remote status in Hawaii when my company pushed RTO. Now I coach job seekers to do the same: sharper positioning, stronger interviews (including case), and higher offers. I work in strategy & ops at Visa on executive-facing, high-impact initiatives. I’ve held roles in corporate strategy and revenue operations at Visa and Lucid Software. I’ve coached clients into opportunities across strategy, marketing, tech sales, tourism, and even medical school admissions. Previous clients have landed offers from Amazon, Goldman Sachs, Visa, and the Department of Defense to name a few. If you’re ready to make a move, I’d love to help you chart the most direct path to it.

People often tell me I have a gift for seeing them more clearly than they see themselves. That is the heart of my coaching: helping clients uncover the strengths and stories they didn’t know they carried, and guiding them toward opportunities they never thought possible. For the past six years, I’ve coached graduate students, executives, mid-career professionals, and military leaders through their biggest transitions. At Harvard Kennedy School, I designed and directed programs at the intersection of leadership development and career transformation. At Goldman Sachs, I saw firsthand how people thrive—or falter—under pressure, and I now use those insights to help clients chart resilient and purpose-driven careers. As a certified PCC coach with 1000+ hours of experience, I combine developmental coaching with practical strategies for resumes, interviews, networking, and pivots. Clients describe me as both strategic and soulful: someone who will challenge you with rigor, but also create a space where you can grow with confidence. To me, career coaching is not just about getting a job—it is about helping you step into the future version of yourself with clarity and courage.

I am qualified to help with career development in corporate strategy, BU strategy for consultants looking to transition or for MBA candidates seeking roles in these fields. I also understand the product management field well and have shipped products in three different industries: healthcare, software, and CPG. I understand what interview questions will be like, what backgrounds hiring managers are looking for, and how to effectively help you tell your story and network.

Have you even been in a place where you are presented an opportunity (with a great compensation) but are super confused on what to do. Whether you're breaking into a new field or seeking career pivot / advancement, the most important thing is to identify vital opportunities that align with you goals. That's not easy as that involves saying NO to many good opportunities to select the one that is right for you. I have pivoted my career multiple times from software & data engineering to Product Management and then into Operations and all along have picked up skills to say YES to what aligns with my goals and ignore the noise. I have also tried my hands at entrepreneurship and made a transition back to corporate job. Through proven frameworks I can guide you to discern what's the right move for you amongst the myriad of choices. I offer practical, personalized & no B.S. advise to help you succeed. Together, we can build confidence, refine technical / soft skills and your personal brand & career narrative to stand out in today’s competitive job market. I look forward to the opportunity to work together!

I've spent the last few years at the intersection of recruiting, mentorship, and career strategy, and I've seen what actually makes a difference for people early in their careers - especially in an internship. As a mentor in BYU's HR Program, I worked directly with students on internship strategy, target company lists, and the application process from start to finish. I've helped students land roles at EY and get into BYU's Accounting Program by focusing on two things: a resume that is clean and strategic, and a story that actually sounds like them. At Leland, I've recruited and hired both interns and coaches. I've sat on the other side of the table and I know what stands out in an interview. How you present yourself matters. I converted from intern to full-time employee while finishing my degree, and I did it by being intentional about how I showed up, took ownership, and made myself impossible to overlook. That is exactly what I help you figure out. Whether you are trying to land your first internship, break into a competitive program, or just figure out how to position yourself, I will help you build a strategy that is specific to you and actually works.

Hello and welcome to my profile! With over 15 years of experience in strategic partnerships and business development at top companies like Okta and Microsoft, I bring a wealth of knowledge to help you advance your career. My diverse background equips me with unique insights into navigating complex career landscapes. Whether you're looking to transition into a new role or climb the corporate ladder, I'm here to guide you every step of the way. Let's connect and chart a path to your career success!