
Katharine J.
5.0
(4)
Break into Private Equity | Ex-Goldman Sachs | Stanford MBA

Studied at Stanford Graduate School of Business

Worked at Goldman Sachs
Available tomorrow at 3:30 PM UTC
Questions? Start chatting with this coach before you get started.
Katharine's Coaching Offerings
Custom hourly · $150/hr
Get help with Skill Building, LinkedIn Review, and .
Katharine also coaches for Investment Banking, Career Coaching, and Executive Coaching. View all.
Katharine’s Private Equity Qualifications
Experience level: Senior Associate
I began my career in investment banking, but like many candidates, I had my sights set on private equity—a leap that can feel overwhelming without the right guidance. Coming from a history major background, I didn’t start my career with a technical foundation, but with the right preparation I was able to make the transition successfully. I went on to work in private equity at Brentwood Associates, focusing on beauty, wellness, and consumer investing, and later returned to Goldman Sachs as one of the first hires on its Sustainable Investing Group, a private equity vehicle focused on positive social impact. Along the way, I’ve also sat on the other side of the table, interviewing candidates for Private Equity roles. That experience gave me firsthand insight into how firms evaluate resumes, test technical knowledge, and pressure-test investment judgment. Now, as a coach, I help candidates prepare for every stage of PE recruiting—from resume positioning and case prep to technical modeling and investment theses. My goal is to help you approach the process with the same preparation and confidence that allowed me to break in, and to give you the insider perspective of someone who’s both landed offers and conducted interviews at top firms.
Katharine can help with:
Skill Building
LinkedIn Review
Resume Review
Networking Strategy
Private Equity Strategy
Technical Interview Prep
Behavioral Interview Prep
Katharine also coaches for Investment Banking, Career Coaching, and Executive Coaching. View all.
About Katharine
I’m Katharine, and I coach students and young professionals preparing for careers in investment banking and private equity. I’ve sat on both sides of the table—recruiting into banking myself, navigating the jump into private equity, and later interviewing and mentoring candidates—and I know firsthand how tough and competitive the process can be. My goal is to make it feel less intimidating and more strategic, helping you sharpen your technical skills, craft a compelling story, and land the role that sets you up for long-term success. I began my career at Goldman Sachs in investment banking, then transitioned into private equity at Brentwood Associates in Los Angeles, where I focused on beauty, wellness, and consumer investing. I later returned to Goldman as one of the first hires on its Sustainable Investing Group, helping build out the Inclusive Growth Fund with a focus on healthcare businesses improving access and affordability. Most recently, I completed my MBA at Stanford GSB, where I deepened my expertise in private markets and taught financial modeling. Along the way, I’ve coached peers and younger colleagues on resume review, technical interview prep, LBO modeling, and case studies—supporting successful recruiting outcomes in both banking and PE. I’ve worked with candidates on everything from tightening bullets to stand out in resume screens, to drilling complex technicals under timed pressure, to refining their personal narratives so they feel authentic and confident in interviews. My approach is highly personalized. I know what it’s like to feel the weight of recruiting—balancing long hours, self-doubt, and the need to perform under pressure—because I’ve been through it myself. I also know how transformative the right guidance can be. I aim to give my clients that same clarity and confidence, while helping them think strategically about how each career step fits into the bigger picture. If you’re preparing for investment banking or private equity recruiting, I’d love to help you sharpen your technical skills, build your story, and approach the process with confidence.
Why do I coach?
Coaching matters deeply to me because I know firsthand how transformative it can be. When I was going through my own recruiting process for investment banking and later private equity, I relied heavily on mentors and peers who took the time to coach me—whether it was drilling me on technicals late at night, walking me through how to tell my story more clearly, or just giving me the confidence to keep going when the process felt overwhelming. Those conversations shaped not only my outcomes, but also the way I think about mentorship and growth. I’ve also overcome challenges in my career that made me appreciate the value of having someone in your corner. From navigating the steep learning curve in investment banking, to transitioning into private equity, to balancing an intense career while managing the illness and loss of a parent, I’ve seen how much easier the journey becomes when you’re not doing it alone. Coaching is my way of paying that forward—I want to help others feel supported, prepared, and confident as they go after roles that can change the trajectory of their careers.
Work Experience

Strategic Finance MBA Intern
Genexa
June 2024 - August 2024

Private Equity Senior Associate
Goldman Sachs
March 2023 - August 2023
Sustainable Investing Group
Private Equity - Associate
Brentwood Associates
October 2020 - October 2022

Associate, Investment Banking
Goldman Sachs
August 2020 - September 2020

Investment Banking - Analyst
Goldman Sachs
July 2018 - July 2020
Katharine was also given offers to work at
Morgan Stanley
PJT Partners
JPMorgan Chase & Co.
Education

Stanford Graduate School of Business
Master of Business Administration - MBA
Brown University
Magna Cum Laude (Highest Honors Given by University), History, Equivalent Minor in Economics, GPA: 4.0
Activities and societies: Intercollegiate Finance Journal (President, Editor for Tech & Startups), Brown Market Shares, Brown Investment Group, Peer Career Advisor at the CareerLAB Commencement Speaker Finalist
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