Cathy M.

Cathy M.

5.0

(13)

8,115 min coaching

INSEAD Logo

Studied at INSEAD

Stacy Blackman Consulting Logo

Works at Stacy Blackman Consulting

Successful clients at

+8

Available tomorrow at 6:30 PM UTC

Usually responds within 4 hours

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About Cathy

Hi, I'm Cathy! Born and raised in New York of Chinese immigrant parents, I’ve grown up experiencing the richness of different cultures – within me, and within the city. I was able to expand my cross-cultural exposure through studying and living abroad – and most significantly, at INSEAD, which opened up doors to living in France, Singapore, London and Belgium, and making a pivotal change to my career. If you like discovering the world and different cultures, a global MBA may be calling your name. It’s such a transformative experience, and could be your next step – and I’m here to help you get there! Book an intro call to see how we can partner up on this adventure :) I've successfully coached candidates to gain candidates to gain admissions into top schools, including INSEAD, LBS, Bocconi, Booth, Wharton, HEC Paris, IESE, Cambridge Judge, Oxford Said & NYU Stern. What motivates me? From Wall Street to the gourmet chocolate world, from New York to Brussels (and many awesome places in between), the INSEAD MBA was pivotal to my triple-point change of function, industry & geography. Since it changed my life, I’m passionate about helping you get into INSEAD and global business schools. Since 2015, I’ve worked with candidates to gain admissions into top MBA programs. I’m committed to working with you and getting to know you, your story, your goals – in order to guide you in crafting your strongest applications possible – so that your application is both authentic to you and tailored to your dream business school. We’ll have some fun along the way too :) I can help you or anyone you know with… ✅ Applying to global business schools ✅ Crafting compelling essays ✅ Strategic feedback and guidance on your entire application, incl CV/resume, rec letters ✅ Navigating the admissions process as a first-gen student ✅ Understanding how to differentiate yourself as an international applicant ✅ Mock interview & prep ✅ … and more! If you’d like to switch careers, move countries post-MBA, or return to your home country after immersing yourself in a global MBA program, I'm here to help you achieve your dreams!

Why do I coach?

Because my own MBA experience was pivotal to my triple-point change of function, industry & geography -- and since the experience itself changed my life -- I’m passionate about helping you get into top global business schools. It's been so rewarding to see candidates discover more about themselves, their ambitions & motivations through the application process -- and make it into their dream schools. If you're keen on attending a global business school, book an intro call!

Work Experience

Academy of Chocolate Logo

Judge

Academy of Chocolate

October 2021 - Present

• Delighted to exercise my chocolate passion and expertise as a Judge for one the world's most prestigious fine chocolate awards, the Academy of Chocolate Awards! • Taste award entries of chocolates and spreads from around the world, evaluating their taste and quality based on ingredients and recipes, and taking into account regional and cultural taste preferences.

Stacy Blackman Consulting Logo

MBA Admissions Coach

Stacy Blackman Consulting

October 2018 - Present

• Partnered up with MBA candidates by providing tailored, strategic, insightful advice to craft the strongest applications possible • Success rate of 100% for full-service clients, including multiple-admit candidates

Cocoa Journey Logo

Founder

Cocoa Journey

February 2018 - Present

Sharing my chocolate passion and knowledge with my customers through exceptional artisan chocolate degustations & delicious Belgian chocolate workshops -- and loving it! • #1 on TripAdvisor, Brussels Classes & Workshops • #1, Airbnb Experiences Brussels chocolate workshops; all-star reviews for Taste Award-winning Artisan Chocolate Tours • Nominated for Travel & Hospitality Awards, awarded to tour companies & hotels for recognition of outstanding customer satisfaction • Featured host in the category of 'Expertise' selected out of all Airbnb Experience Hosts

Consultant Logo

Consultant

Consultant

February 2018 - Present

Given my deep chocolate expertise and passion, I'd be happy to create value for you and your clients in this sector. Feel free to browse my experience below and reach out!

Academy of Chocolate Logo

Treasurer

Academy of Chocolate

December 2021 - November 2023

Pleased to be Treasurer and Board Member of the prestigious Academy of Chocolate, where we believe that fine chocolate, ethically sourced, should be the norm... and that the more consumers taste and discover, the more they'll be convinced as well. Cash Management, Money Management and +1 skill

Piierre Marcolini  Logo

Marketing Director

Piierre Marcolini

July 2017 - October 2017

• Managed pricing, placement, communication & product aspects of ±100 haute-gamme SKUs • Procurement negotiations with packaging suppliers resulted in over 21,000€ saving • Directed SKU rationalization, cutting down 15% of low-performing SKUs and decreasing packaging complexity, leading to shorter lead times, less stock-outs and higher profitability • Managed 2 direct reports covering product management and seasonal launches

Barry Callebaut Logo

Brand Manager

Barry Callebaut

March 2012 - June 2016

Interviewer

• Exceeded regional 5% sales and profit growth targets through rigorous implementation of marketing strategy, leading sales globally. 130€ million portfolio • Launched NPDs >1m€ CCM via cross-functional team management • Principal marketing contact for 24 countries: trained, equipped, & engaged local Sales & Marketing teams on brand, portfolio, and NPD. Directed 360° sales and marketing tool creation • Developed and presented 3-year innovation pipeline, budget proposals and business cases to senior management • Initiated and rolled out launches from concept to realization • Unlocked opportunity in OOH chocolate drinks category: launched top-performing global innovation. 1M€ NSV new growth YTD Dec '15, with one of the top CCM in portfolio • Pioneered growth in ice cream & gelato segment, contributing to 29% growth within one year • Created company’s first & only pistachio paste, working with R&D and chefs: pure, no additives or preservatives, addressing market demands. Highest margin contributor (~30%) in specialized nut range. Launched 10 nut products with the La Morella acquisition • Captured market share of growing trend of baking with chocolate. Launched bakestable chocolate chips using sustainable cocoa, achieving 2.7m€ NSV new growth YTD April '16. Global rollout • Launched key campaign on Gourmet cocoa sustainability program. Influential presentation to Japanese customers resulted in a significant contribution and partnership in the construction of a child nursery in Ghana

Rococo Chocolates Logo

Chief Chocolate Strategist

Rococo Chocolates

July 2011 - January 2012

- Sales & Marketing: implemented retail and wholesale pricing strategy, increasing revenues by 5%; trained Retail Management on sales, marketing and customer relationship skills, contributing to 10% revenue increase; started Mystery Shopping Program for effective and reliable anonymous feedback - Finance: increased transparency to ensure profit margin maximization through revenue optimization, cost efficiency and increased cash flow - Operations: streamlined inventory and warehouse processes through optimization of technological and human resource management, incl. ERP training - Completed e-commerce solutions strategy: negotiated dissolution of unprofitable agreement with existing digital engagement manager, recovering losses of 43% NRP - Coordinated, designed and created new website on front- and back-ends, integrated with e-commerce platform, PSP, order management, inventory management & dispatch systems: e-commerce solutions cost savings of 89%; order fulfilment efficiency of 100% - Digital strategy improved customer experience, site architecture and content quality, achieving ROI of: 25.3% increased revenues; 26.7% increased conversion rate - Multi-channel online solution included design and creation of facebook and mobile stores - Chaired brand, finance, operations strategy discussions with integral implications for the business, its shareholders and employees - Identified, recognized and retained talent, formally training and informally coaching staff across the business, incl. Production, Chocolate School and Mailorders

Lazard Asset Management Logo

Marketing Communications Specialist

Lazard Asset Management

October 2005 - July 2009

• Contributing to $9 billion wins in AUM via global marketing strategy creation and execution. Clients incl. corporations, public pension plans, foundations and UHNW • Held leadership responsibilities for six-member marketing team. Trained new hires. Tracked activity of 100+ new business and client service books • Integrated campaigns included fact sheets, product profiles and thought leadership pieces: project managed production of 30+ periodic print and online marketing collateral quarterly • Established department’s first training and education program on financial instruments and marketing applications. Extended it to the 100-person sales and marketing force at headquarters • Championed use of new web-based financial software that led to reduced costs and increased efficiency by 12.5% in producing 110+ pieces • Spearheaded usage of core financial marketing application, conducting training sessions for 50+ colleagues globally • Instituted and spearheaded peer review system, leading to increased accuracy of marketing content • Conducted financial analysis of investment opportunities: examined 10-Ks and 10-Qs • Executed competitive analysis in performance and risk measures for global and domestic products

Credit Suisse Logo

Senior Marketing Analyst

Credit Suisse

August 2003 - October 2005

• Contributed to $600 million wins in AUM, 21% of year's inflows via proposals and pitches. Successfully bid for firm's management on a wrap accounts platform of $1.6 billion AUM • Appointed to train new team members on processes and systems of firm and department • Performed extensive research for investment papers on topics including 'Investing in China' and 'Outlook on Oil’

Cathy was also given offers to work at

  • Lattice Engines Logo

    Lattice Engines

  • Altfest Logo

    Altfest

  • ImpactAssets Logo

    ImpactAssets

Education

INSEAD Logo

INSEAD

Master of Business Administration (MBA)

2009 - 2010

Activities and societies: INSEAD Women in Business, Co-President INDEVOR, Social Impact Club

Amherst College Logo

Amherst College

Bachelor of Arts, History

1999 - 2003

Activities and societies: Co-Chair, Amherst College Program Board Treasurer, Asian Student Association Business Manager, The Amherst Student, school newspaper Co-Editor-in-Chief, Scrutiny, school course evaluation guide Consultant, Amherst IT Admissions Board, Asian Culture House Officer, Student Security

Cathy was also personally admitted to

  • Dartmouth College Logo

    Dartmouth College

  • Swarthmore College Logo

    Swarthmore College

  • Williams College Logo

    Williams College

  • Tufts University Logo

    Tufts University

13 Reviews

Overall Rating

5.0


Knowledge

5.0

Value

5.0

Responsiveness

5.0

Supportiveness

5.0


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Cathy M.

Cathy M.

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