
Belen Cao Fernandez
5.0
(7)
Columbia MBA Alum | Ace Your MBA Interviews with Insider Tips
Studied at Columbia Business School
Worked at McKinsey & Company
Available Friday at 7:00 AM UTC
Happy to accommodate other times—just reach out before booking! 🙂
Questions? Start chatting with this coach before you get started.
Belen's Coaching Offerings
Custom hourly · $50/hr
Get help with Essays, Secondary Review, and Interviews.
Belen’s MBA Qualifications
Welcome to my profile! As a Columbia Business School MBA graduate and a member of the Columbia alumni network, conducting interviews for prospective candidates, I have a deep understanding of what top business schools are looking for in applicants. I specialize in helping candidates craft compelling narratives and strategic applications that stand out. Whether you need assistance with essays, interviews, or overall application strategy, I'm here to help you succeed. Let's connect and make your MBA dreams a reality!
Belen can help with:
Essays
Secondary Review
Interviews
About Belen
I’m a former McKinsey Senior Engagement Manager with 4+ years of experience interviewing Business Analysts and Associates. I began my McKinsey journey in the Madrid office and transferred to New York after earning my MBA at Columbia Business School. As an Engagement Manager, I later moved to London, working across the UK and the Middle East. This international experience gives me first-hand insight into the challenges of working and thriving in different countries. I was also an active member of EQUAL, McKinsey’s LGBTQ+ community, and can offer guidance from that perspective. At McKinsey, my favorite part of the job was coaching and developing my teams. There’s nothing more rewarding than helping someone level up, take on new responsibilities, and earn a promotion. That same passion drove me to spend significant time coaching candidates and participating in the recruiting process—and I’m excited to bring that energy to helping you reach your next milestone.
Why do I coach?
Coaching matters to me because I know how transformative mentorship can be. My path into consulting wasn’t easy. I didn’t know anyone in the industry, and preparing on my own was daunting. That’s why I devoted a lot of time to coaching and mentoring while at McKinsey, and why I enjoyed working closely with candidates throughout my consulting career—to help them navigate a process that I know can feel overwhelming. Having guidance during the process can make all the difference. I love helping people clarify their strengths, build confidence, and develop a structured approach to the recruiting process. Seeing clients—and friends—land interviews and offers is incredibly rewarding and reminds me why I enjoy sharing my experience.
Work Experience

Engagement Manager
McKinsey & Company
April 2023 - November 2025
Interviewer
Leading teams of 3-5 associates / analysts (incl. data scientists and software engineers) advising clients through growth strategies and transformations. Experience included: • Led the financial and business plan review of a $4Bn megaproject investment • Drove the technology transformation and strategy for a US company in the Real Estate industry • Supported the integration of 2 US-based media companies

Consultant (Business Analyst, Associate)
McKinsey & Company
September 2017 - April 2023
Interviewer
Education

Columbia Business School
MBA, MBA
2020 - 2021
I completed my MBA at Columbia Business School as part of the Business Analyst to Associate path while at McKinsey & Company. Since graduating, I have joined the Columbia alumni network that conducts interviews for prospective MBA candidates.

Universidad Politécnica de Madrid
Aerospace Engineering, Aerospace Vehicles
2013 - 2017
Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering - minor in Aerospace Vehicles
7 Reviews
Overall Rating