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About John

I am a climate-tech entrepreneur and product manager with an MBA and management consulting background. Since completing my MBA at the University of Oxford's Saïd Business School, I have built a biotech startup working to make agriculture more resilient to climate change. Before starting my MBA, I spent most of my career as a hardware product manager working to launch clean energy projects for the African market with companies like KOKO Networks and Engie Energy Access, launching multiple products which scaled to >1 million users. I started my career in management consulting. I hold bachelor's degrees in Mechanical Engineering and Music from University of Michigan.

Why do I coach?

I believe an MBA can be a transformational experience for students, I was initially reluctant to apply for an MBA, concerned that with my non-traditional background working in international social enterprise, an MBA might be inaccessible to me. I was also unsure if an MBA would be helpful for my unusual post-MBA goal of entrepreneurship. I was able to find a program that was a great fit for me and gain admission with financial aid that made the experience possible for me. My MBA was a fantastic educational experience and has been hugely helpful in my work as an entrepreneur. To me, coaching is a way to help others have a fantastic experience similar to mine. I also believe coaching can make a big difference in applicants' admissions outcomes. Guidance on how to refine and tell your career story can make a big difference in admissions outcomes, especially for students coming from non-traditional backgrounds. Coaching on how to quickly and effectively prepare for the GMAT can also help students achieve their target score and avoid time-consuming (and often expensive!) mistakes in the prep process. I feel all applicants should have access to this kind of external guidance so they are able to put their best foot forward and give themselves the best possible chance at achieving their goals.

Work Experience

Co-Founder, Co-CEO

Node Bio

November 2022 - Present

I co-founded an agricultural biotech startup working to improve climate resilience of African farming systems by developing innovative biological crop treatments.

Product Manager

ENGIE Energy Access

September 2018 - July 2021

• Led development and pilot of new solar home system products such as Mysol Neo, EEA’s new entry-level solar product • Created EEA's solar home system product strategy and development roadmap • Managed key supplier relationships • Led pilot and supported commercial launch of Fenix Power line – over 700,000 devices sold to date

Product Manager

KOKO Networks

April 2016 - September 2018

• Managed the Market and Customer Research team, overseeing collection and reporting of customer feedback • Worked with technical teams to implement improvements to KOKO’s stove and software products, increasing customer spending on KOKO fuel and reducing customer service requests • Project manager for Nairobi pilot

Business Development Manager

KOKO Networks

July 2015 - April 2016

• Developed KOKO Ads concept and identified first advertising partners • Built business cases and developed roadmap, pilot plans for other digital services offered via the KOKOPoint network

Venture Development Fellow

CleanStar Ventures

January 2015 - June 2015

I led a feasibility study on a project providing electricity service to worker homes on a tea estate in Kericho, Kenya; the project electrified 8,000 households using solar mini-grids and traditional power grid extension • Built technical and financial models to determine project costs and investor returns; created fundraising materials • Hired and managed a team of 20 field surveyors to collect technical data, survey potential customers, and monitor pilot

Analyst

Altman Solon

July 2012 - December 2014

I was an analyst for a boutique strategy consulting firm focused on the telecom sector. Project experience: • Strategic and financial review of telecommunications provider • Fiber provider due diligence for private equity client • Fiber optic build-out strategy for Fortune 50 telecommunications provider • Churn analytics for Fortune 50 telecommunications provider