Elena Gottlieb
5.0
(2)
Case Interview Coach for Students | Incoming @ McKinsey
Studied at Cornell University
Worked at Guidehouse
Available tomorrow at 1:30 PM UTC
Questions? Start chatting with this coach before you get started.
Elena's Offerings
Custom hourly · $35/hr
Get help with Behavioral Interview Prep, Case Interview Prep, and .
Elena’s Management Consulting Qualifications
Experience level: Intern
I’m an incoming Business Analyst at McKinsey & Company and the former Managing Director of Cornell Consulting Group, where I led a 25-member consulting organization and managed client engagements across industries including healthcare, consumer products, and technology. Through my consulting experience, I have worked on market entry strategy, growth strategy, operational optimization, and competitive analysis projects for both startups and established companies. I know how overwhelming consulting recruiting can feel because I’ve personally gone through the process, from networking and resume preparation to casing and final-round interviews at top firms. Since then, I have helped students at Cornell strengthen case interview fundamentals, refine behavioral interview performance, improve communication skills, and develop recruiting strategies tailored to their individual goals. My coaching approach emphasizes structured thinking, adaptability, and clear communication, with the goal of helping clients approach the recruiting process with greater confidence, clarity, and strategic focus.
Elena can help with:
Behavioral Interview Prep
Case Interview Prep
Cover Letters
Frameworks
Networking Strategy
Resume Review
About Elena
Hi, I’m Elena! I recently graduated from Cornell University’s School of Industrial and Labor Relations and will be joining McKinsey & Company as a Business Analyst. My path to consulting wasn’t perfectly linear. I transferred to Cornell after my first year of college, navigated recruiting while balancing leadership roles and internships, and spent countless hours figuring out how to tell my story effectively. Along the way, I served as Managing Director of the Cornell Consulting Group, led student-run consulting projects across a wide range of industries, and helped many students navigate the same recruiting challenges I once faced. What I enjoy most about coaching is helping people build confidence in their own approach. Recruiting advice often focuses on finding the "right" answer, but I believe the strongest candidates are the ones who learn how to think on their feet, communicate clearly, and lean into what makes them unique. Whether we're working on casing, behavioral interviews, networking, or broader career decisions, my goal is to help you develop skills that will serve you long after recruiting ends. Outside of work and consulting, you'll usually find me exploring new restaurants, watching soccer, or doing the NYT Crossword. I love meeting people from different backgrounds and learning about the experiences that have shaped them, which is one of the reasons I enjoy coaching so much.
Why do I coach?
I coach because I remember how overwhelming the recruiting process felt when I was going through it myself. There was so much advice available, but it was often conflicting, generic, or disconnected from my specific situation. The people who made the biggest difference for me were the mentors who took the time to understand my goals, give honest feedback, and help me build confidence in my own abilities. As I progressed through consulting recruiting and later took on leadership roles within the Cornell Consulting Group, I found that I genuinely enjoyed helping others navigate the process. Some of the most rewarding moments of my college experience came from watching students land opportunities they once thought were out of reach after weeks or months of preparation and growth. What motivates me most is seeing people realize they are more capable than they think. Recruiting can often feel like a test of worth, but I view it as a skill-building process. My goal is not only to help clients earn offers, but also to help them become stronger communicators, better problem-solvers, and more confident professionals. Those are skills that will continue to benefit them long after recruiting is over.
Work Experience
Senior Advisor
Cornell Consulting Group
January 2026 - Present
Consultant intern
Guidehouse
June 2025 - August 2025
State and Local Government Advisory Supported the State of Vermont and FEMA on recovery and resilience efforts following 2023-24 flooding events, assisting with grant management and interagency coordination across Public Assistance and PMO workstreams. Built a dynamic Excel tracker to consolidate FEMA PA grant data for four major disasters, enabling streamlined monitoring of disbursements, project timelines, and federal-state coordination to support $40m+ in recovery funding. Analyzed complex financial flows and reimbursement data using Excel automation tools; audited Category Z timesheets and subcontractor invoices, supporting accuracy and compliance with FEMA cost eligibility rules.
Managing Director
Cornell Consulting Group
December 2024 - Present
Sourced 3 major clients by pitching tailored projects, drafting SOWs, and negotiating contracts with C-suite executives. Lead a 24-member team, manage client relationships, and ensure the quality and delivery of 30+ weekly deliverables. Optimize client staffing based on team bandwidth, supporting a global sports retailer and top QSR franchise chain. Manage $15k budget by overseeing expenditures, resource allocation, and ensuring responsible financial management.
District Office Intern
U.S. House of Representatives
May 2024 - Present
Office of Democratic Whip Katherine Clark MA-05 Assisted 20+ constituents daily by directing individuals to appropriate federal and state resources; initiated casework. Supported legislative staff by processing and cataloging constituent correspondence in Intranet Quorum database. Drafted grant notifications, congratulatory letters, and press releases for distribution to constituents and news sources. Developed Z-score Excel model to standardize evaluation of U.S. Service Academy nomination applicant interviews.
Project Manager
Cornell Consulting Group
February 2024 - Present
Led 5-analyst teams in two consulting engagements, managing research, client deliverables, and strategy development. Supervised weekly meetings between clients and analysts; coordinated semester-long project calendar based on SOW. Guided team in revamping Notion platform, chapter creation, and tracking membership data for national nonprofit. Directed team in developing a 5-year market exit strategy and DCF evaluation for successful food company.
Legislative Intern
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
June 2023 - Present
Office of State Representative Carmine Gentile Drafted written and oral legislative testimony by analyzing previous bills for presentation at committee hearings. Provided constituent services and tracked casework using internal database; conveyed the Rep’s position on issues. Formulated fact sheets, memorandums, and press releases for distribution to the legislature and local news sources. Evaluated proposed legislation and presented policy recommendations to the Representative based on analysis.
Referee
U.S. Soccer
August 2017 - Present
Elena was also given offers to work at
McKinsey & Company
Education
Cornell University
Bachelor of Science, Industrial and Labor Relations
2023 - 2026
Cornell Consulting Group (Managing Director), TA for NBA 5690 and NBA 5780, Alpha Phi International Women's Fraternity, Already Friendz (Transfer Student Mentor)
Elena was also personally admitted to
George Washington University
Macalester College
College of William and Mary
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