Claire Rafson

I know what it's like to feel like you don't belong. Growing up in the suburbs of Chicago with a mixed-race/cultural family, I never thought that I'd have the chance to be a part of incredible institutions like Dartmouth, Stanford GSB, and the Knight-Hennessy community. I was only able to get there because others invested in me - and now I want to do my part to give back. Before I got to college, I didn't know anybody who went into consulting (or even what McKinsey, Bain, or the Boston Consulting Group were.) My jobs going into college included working as a Starbucks barista and selling equipment at an outdoor goods store. I threw myself into mastering the case interview process and was lucky enough to earn a full-time role at Bain & Company. I then entered the private equity and venture capital industries and have been able to transform the trajectory of my life as well as my family's. My journey has been special, but not because I am. It's because I received mentorship, coaching, and advice from others who believed in me. Now, I'm on Leland to be that person for you. Looking forward to talking about how we can help you pursue your dreams on an intro call soon!