Diane K.

Diane K.

5.0

(9)

Ex-Goldman Equity Research Associate | Early-Mid Career Break into ER | PhD

1,140 min coached

94 followers

Columbia University Logo

Studied at Columbia University

Goldman Sachs Logo

Worked at Goldman Sachs

Successful clients at

Available Monday at 6:00 PM UTC

Usually responds within 5 hours

Questions? Start chatting with this coach before you get started.

Diane's Coaching Offerings

Custom hourly · $145/hr

Get help with Technical Interview Prep, Skill Building, and .

Diane’s Leland+ Resources

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Diane’s Equity Research Qualifications

Experience level: Associate

I provide strategic career coaching for early-career graduates and mid-career professionals seeking to pivot into equity research, with a specialized focus on candidates from non-traditional and STEM backgrounds. Having successfully transitioned from a PhD in Biomedical Engineering to an Associate role at Goldman Sachs, I offer first-hand, tactical insights into how technical experts can effectively translate their skills for the financial markets. My professional background spans over three years across institutional finance and corporate strategy. This includes SMID Biotech coverage at Goldman Sachs and corporate development at a venture-backed startup with over $650M in funding. Based on these experiences, I provide guidance that is deeply grounded in how investment teams and operators evaluate talent. To date, my clients have successfully leveraged my coaching to secure competitive roles at leading equity research and venture capital firms. Whether you are navigating a mid-career transition or launching your professional path after graduation, I am committed to serving as a dedicated partner and strategic resource throughout your journey into equity research.

Diane can help with:

Technical Interview Prep

Skill Building

Investment Recommendations

Industry Research

Financial Analysis

Resume Review

Equity Research Strategy

Behavioral Interview Prep

Salary Negotiation

Valuation

Promotion Strategy

Networking Strategy

LinkedIn Review

View all of Diane’s categories

About Diane

I am a career coach and investment professional with a passion for helping people navigate the jump into corporate and investment roles. My own path has been nonlinear - I started with a Bachelor’s from Columbia and a PhD from UCLA in Biomedical Engineering before moving into equity research at Goldman Sachs. From there, I transitioned into corporate development at a venture-backed startup with over $650M in funding. These experiences across Wall Street and high-growth startups gave me a "behind-the-scenes" look at how investment teams and operators actually evaluate talent. Today, I work with clients at all stages - from mid-career professionals to PhDs and recent STEM grads - looking to pivot into fields like equity research, venture capital, and corporate strategy. I know firsthand that the biggest challenge in a pivot isn't a lack of talent: it's the mindset shif" and the language barrier between technical research and the business world. My goal is to help you translate your expertise into a compelling, industry-ready story that resonates with hiring managers. I’ve helped my mentees land competitive roles at some of the world’s leading firms, and I’d love to help you clarify your direction and unlock what’s next in your career.

Why do I coach?

I have always been passionate about career transitions because I’ve seen how much of a difference the right storytelling makes. During my own journey from a PhD to Wall Street and Bay Area ecosystem, I realized that even the most brilliant people often undersell themselves simply because they aren't sure how to "speak the language" of a new industry. It’s a gap I love helping people bridge. There’s nothing more rewarding to me than seeing a candidate realize that their "non-traditional" background is actually their greatest competitive advantage. I coach because I want to be the partner and advocate I wish I’d had during my own transitions. I know that pivoting careers can feel daunting, especially in a tough market, but I also know it’s entirely possible with the right roadmap. I’m here to help you move past the guesswork, build a resume that stands out to insiders, and navigate the recruitment process with real confidence. I’m fully committed to seeing you through to a successful finish and helping you take true ownership of your professional path.

Work Experience

Kriya Therapeutics Logo

Senior Project Manager Corporate Development

Kriya Therapeutics

2023 - 2025

Goldman Sachs Logo

Biotechnology Equity Research Associate

Goldman Sachs

2021 - 2023

Vida Ventures Logo

Venture Fellow

Vida Ventures

2019 - 2020

UCLA Logo

Business Development Fellow

UCLA

2017 - 2019

Diane was also given offers to work at

  • Putnam Associates Logo

    Putnam Associates

  • Boston Consulting Group Logo

    Boston Consulting Group

Education

Columbia University Logo

Columbia University

Bachelor of Science, Biomedical Engineering

Dean's List Columbia Named Scholar Summer REU Scholar at Boyer Laboratory (MIT) Columbia University Summer Undergraduate Research Fellow

University of California, Los Angeles Logo

University of California, Los Angeles

PhD, Biomedical Engineering

National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellow Dissertation Year Fellow

9 Reviews

Overall Rating

5.0


Knowledge

5.0

Value

5.0

Responsiveness

5.0

Supportiveness

5.0


Diane has helped Leland clients get into TD Cowen

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Diane K.

Diane K.

5.0

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