
Jake Winans
Studied at Rice University
Hiring Manager at The Walt Disney Company
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About Jake
I’m the founder of Aventira Admissions Consulting and a nationally recognized college admissions expert. As a proud graduate of Rice University, I was admitted to multiple Ivy League and top-10 institutions and earned over $1 million in scholarships and financial aid offers. My personal experience navigating the admissions process gives me unique insight into what truly resonates with top schools. I began my career in investment banking and consulting with firms like RBC and Deloitte before landing my dream job in corporate strategy at The Walt Disney Company — all by age 24. My background in hiring, resume review, and talent selection helps students position themselves with clarity and purpose. This combination of corporate and admissions expertise allows me to mentor students not just for college, but for long-term career success. Since launching Aventira, I’ve helped over 200 students gain admission to schools like Harvard, Stanford, MIT, and Princeton — and launch careers at Bain, Google, Goldman Sachs, and more. I specialize in crafting powerful narratives that turn average profiles into unforgettable applications. My personalized approach and proven track record have made me one of the most sought-after advisors in the field. Beyond admissions, I frequently speak at high schools and industry conferences, sharing strategies on leadership, career planning, and personal branding. My mission is not only to help students earn acceptance letters, but to equip them with the mindset and skills to thrive long after graduation.
Why do I coach?
I coach because I know what it feels like to come from a middle-class background, dream big, fail, pivot, and still find a way forward. Growing up, I wanted to be a professional wrestler and a comedian — and I failed miserably at the first one. But those early dreams taught me resilience, creativity, and the willingness to put myself out there. When I got to college, I completely reinvented my path. I decided I wanted to conquer Wall Street and eventually work at Disney — two goals that felt impossible at the time. But through mentorship, intentional planning, and a lot of trial and error, I earned full-ride scholarships for both undergrad and my MBA, broke into investment banking and consulting, and landed my dream corporate strategy role at The Walt Disney Company within 3 years of graduating college. Now, I coach because I want to give students the same guidance that helped me rewrite my future. My goal is to combine my corporate experience with my admissions expertise to help students of all backgrounds take the first step toward becoming tomorrow’s leaders. I believe the right support can change the entire trajectory of someone’s life, and I’m committed to being that support for every student I work with.
Work Experience

Treasury Intern
ExxonMobil
2025 - 2025
Treasury, Credit and Commodities Trading

Founder & CEO
Aventira Admissions Consulting
2022 - Present
200+ clients served - specializing in T20/T50 college admissions and professional recruiting concerning investment banking, private equity, venture capital, management consulting and corporate development/strategy

Senior Analyst, Corporate Development & Strategy
The Walt Disney Company
2022 - 2024
Hiring Manager
Disney Entertainment & ESPN growth strategy

Strategy Analyst
Deloitte
2021 - 2022
Hiring Manager
Strategy consulting for TMT and Financial Services/Asset Management clients

Investment Banking Analyst
RBC Capital Markets
2020 - 2021
Hiring Manager
M&A and Capital Markets

Summer Investment Banking Analyst
RBC Capital Markets
2019 - 2019

Teaching Assistant
Indiana University Kelley School of Business
2017 - 2020
Education

Rice University
Master of Business Administration (MBA), Small Business & Entrepreneurial Studies
2024 - 2026

Kelley School of Business (Indiana)
Bachelor of Science - BS, Finance
2016 - 2020
Grade: Highest Distinction Activities and societies: Business Honors Program, Investment Banking Workshop, Hutton Honors College, Honors College Student Council, Beta Gamma Sigma Graduated with both Business Honors and Hutton Liberal Arts Honors notations