Monica Okrah
Studied at Harvard Business School
Works at Creative
Available tomorrow at 1:00 PM UTC
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About Monica
I'm the founder of Helium Coaching, a career and admissions consulting firm that helps high-potential professionals clarify their stories, elevate their positioning, and access transformational opportunities. My 20+ years of experience in admissions advisory and executive recruiting give clients a rare perspective on how top MBA programs evaluate talent, and how senior leaders, boards, and C-suite decision makers assess leadership potential in the real world. Elite MBA admissions is not just about polished essays. It is about helping high-achieving professionals understand their leadership trajectory, contextualize the choices that shaped them, and present themselves as the future executives they are becoming. Few things are more rewarding than watching exceptional people gain the clarity, confidence, and conviction to tell their story with authenticity. The emails, texts, and phone calls that say, “We did it. I’m in!” are always special, but the real reward is seeing clients step into their leadership paths.
Why do I coach?
As a first-generation college and MBA graduate, I'm passionate about expanding access for talented individuals from underrepresented backgrounds, nontraditional paths, and global communities. I've built my career helping people see their stories differently and recognize the power of what they have lived, built, overcome, and led. This work is never transactional. We become a team. My role is to help you sharpen your self-awareness, elevate your story, and move through one of the most important inflection points in your career with discipline, strategy, and confidence.
Work Experience
Executive Search Partner
Creative
August 2025 - Present
Interviewer
Lead executive recruiting engagements across public and private-equity-backed companies, partnering directly with CEOs, CHROs, CMOs and senior executives to build transformative leadership teams. Engagements span diverse industries—including QSR, CPG, energy and technology—with a focus on critical enterprise functions such as HR, Marketing, Product, Operations, and other strategic leadership roles at the Director through C-suite level. Executive placements include: VP Brand Marketing, Head of HRBPs, Head of Product Management, Director of HR Strategy and Operations, Director of People Operations, etc.
Founder and Coach
Helium
April 2018 - Present
Advising top talent on MBA admissions to M7 MBA programs, and founders on strategy and pitch decks. MBA ADVISORY: Since 2006, coached 750+ rising leaders and business executives, residing in 45+ countries on admissions strategy for top MBA and Executive MBA programs like Harvard, Stanford, Wharton and Columbia in the US, and INSEAD and London Business School in Europe. Clients worked in diverse industries including financial services (e.g., PE/VC, investment banking), management consulting, tech, entrepreneurship, media and entertainment, fine arts, health care, law, social impact, and military service. BUSINESS CONSULTING: - Advised healthtech portfolio company as a consultant for Serena Ventures on seed fundraising deck. - Consulted founder on new children’s water park concept in West Africa. Advised on business model, equipment procurement in partnership with WhiteWater West, financial projections, and fundraising plan for angel investors. - Consulted beauty influencer/author to secure a grant for expanding haircare brand. Synthesized idea (problem, solution, financial projections) in a deck. THOUGHT LEADERSHIP: Share thought leadership on MBA admissions and career development during interviews and speaking engagements including: - US News & World Report article feature - Harvard Business School’s Dynamic Women In Business Conference (featured panelist) - Harvard Business School’s Africa Business Club’s fireside chat - Ashesi University (Ghana) Career Services workshop - Embrace Your Truth podcast - Humanity Chats podcast
Digital Marketing Manager
Red Ventures
July 2006 - July 2007
Member of a startup team that formed an exclusive strategic partnership with Sirius Satellite Radio and launched an eCommerce business to establish and grow the direct-to-consumer marketing channel. Managed digital marketing campaigns from strategic planning through execution and analysis/reporting. Developed business cases and ROI analyses for management. Negotiated several pay-for-performance partnerships to execute a broad range of email, print and online marketing campaigns. Managed a $250,000 marketing test budget and generated email sales at a cost per acquisition 40% below target. Devised measurable A/B tests and managed the development of creative assets. Determined appropriate messaging to maximize response and conversion. Formulated business requirements for marketing campaigns. Partnered with web developers to enhance the reporting platform used to analyze sales and online traffic.
Senior Consultant
mbaMission
April 2006 - May 2018
Third hire at startup MBA admissions consulting boutique that grew to 20+ consultants over my 12 years with the company. Coached over 450 young leaders and business executives, residing in 45+ countries on applications to top MBA and Executive MBA programs like Harvard, Stanford, Wharton and Columbia in the US, and INSEAD and London Business School in Europe. Additionally, authored an Insider's Guide, led Pricing and Legal Policies committee, and trained/mentored 5 new consultants.
Social Enterprise Fellow
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater
June 2004 - August 2004
Managed several marketing, finance and fundraising projects for this world-reknowned performing arts organization. Presented plan to improve financial controls to the Board of Directors.
Analyst
J.P. Morgan
July 1999 - August 2022
Healthcare investment banking analyst.
Education
Harvard Business School
Master of Business Administration - MBA, General Management
Olin School of Business
Bachelor of Business Administration - BBA, Finance (Major), Psychology (Minor)