Donna Bauman

The MBA admissions process can feel like navigating rough seas, with big waves appearing when you least expect them. My role is to be your steady anchor and strategic guide. Now in my 11th year coaching applicants directly, after 15 years working on the MBA admissions side, I bring both insider perspective and deeply personalized coaching to every client relationship. Together, we work through self-discovery, career reflection, school selection, recommender strategy, resume development, storytelling, essay outlines and reviews, interview preparation, waitlist, scholarship and even final decision support. Along the way, I help clients overcome imposter syndrome, stay on track and clarify their goals. What often makes the difference in a successful MBA application is not just what you have done, but how you tell the story of why it matters. I bring a business storytelling facilitation certification from Leadership Story Lab and 15 years of experience on the MBA admissions side to help clients uncover and communicate the stories only they can tell. Outside of admissions, I’m an avid tennis fan and a super fan of the UNC Chapel Hill Women’s Tennis Team, where grit, strategy, resilience, and problem-solving are always on display. I bring that same mindset to my coaching as I help clients do everything possible to submit their strongest applications.