
Sam L.
5.0
(7)
Studied at University of Texas at Austin
Works at Acme Smoked Fish
Successful clients at
Available Monday at 10:30 PM UTC
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About Sam
Hi, I’m Sam. I work with consultants at moments of transition who want clarity around what comes next. I’ve always been interested in how people make big career decisions, especially in fast-paced environments like consulting where the options can feel endless and it’s hard to slow down long enough to really check in with yourself. I began my career at McKinsey, where I learned to regularly check in with myself while moving across different teams and industries. Over my three years in consulting and beyond, I saw colleagues, friends, and now clients struggle with a lack of direction that often comes from having too many options. Over time, the fatigue of constant change made defaulting to familiar paths feel easier than doing the harder work of introspection and building conviction. Yet this is a pivotal moment, particularly earlier in a consulting career, when many people have built a toolkit companies actively seek but haven’t spent much time thinking about what actually energizes them, where their strengths show up most, or how they want to apply those skills. After consulting, I chose a non-traditional path and moved into food manufacturing. That decision didn’t happen overnight. It took patience, self-awareness, and a willingness to explore thoughtfully rather than rush into the next expected move, and it now shapes how I work with clients. Today, I support consultants who want a practical way to build conviction around their interests and create momentum toward meaningful career changes. That work includes evaluating options, positioning experience, reviewing resumes, preparing for interviews, and making connections when there’s strong alignment. Once we work together, I also keep an eye out for opportunities that may be a good fit and share them as they come up. Whether you’re trying to make consulting feel more sustainable or figuring out when and how to move on, I aim to be a steady thought partner as you navigate what comes next.
Why do I coach?
I coach because I’ve seen how powerful the right mix of guidance and self-motivation can be at real decision points. I benefited a lot from mentors and career coaches who helped me slow down, pressure-test my thinking, and see options more clearly, but they never did the work for me. What actually made the difference was the discipline to use frameworks, be honest about what I cared about, and stick to my decisions even when they were uncomfortable. Coaching mattered because it provided structure and challenge alongside that effort, not because it removed responsibility. That’s the way I coach now. I aim to give people space, structure, and perspective while expecting real ownership over the decisions they’re making.
Work Experience

Special Projects
Acme Smoked Fish
June 2025 - Present

New Ventures
Phood
April 2025 - May 2025
Phood uses computer vision and machine learning to provide real-time insights that help thousands of grocers and restaurants identify, track, and improve operational inefficiencies, such as food waste and order inaccuracies, improving margins and enhancing the customer experience. In this role, I helped Phood expand into their second market, quick service restaurants. I worked directly with restaurant ops and innovation teams to build new solutions that match Phood’s smart kitchen capabilities.
Senior Business Analyst
McKinsey & Company
July 2023 - March 2025

Senior Director
Child Poverty Action Lab
May 2023 - September 2024
On secondment from McKinsey, I worked internally at one of my client's to lead one of their five core domains - public benefits delivery. I was responsible for driving innovative solutions to address the complexities and challenges faced by low-income families in accessing public benefits. We made headway in delivering the $1B+ public safety net benefits left on the table by Dallas families in need.
Business Analyst
McKinsey & Company
October 2021 - June 2023
Food Industry, Social Sector and +6 skills

Summer Analyst
Accenture
June 2021 - August 2021
Venture Capital Associate
Genesis Program
February 2019 - May 2021
Recruited, evaluated, and mentored early-stage startups at the University of Texas at Austin, focused on strengthening founder diversity and socially-focused ventures in our portfolio. Due Diligence, Pitch Development and +4 skills
Sam was also given offers to work at
DoorDash

Accenture
Education

University of Texas at Austin
BBA, Business Honors, Management, Entrepreneurship
2017 - 2021
Activities and societies: Genesis, The Undergraduate Business Council, Technology Business Fellows (Previously: Bay Area for McCombs), Phi Chi Theta, Geothermal Entrepreneurship Organization, Blackstone Launchpad, 3 Day Startup, Kendra Scott Women in Entrepreneurship Ambassador, Morning Brew Brand Ambassador

Universidad Pontificia Comillas
Bachelor of Business Administration (Study Abroad), Business, Management, and Related Support Services
2020 - 2020
Chinese University of Hong Kong
Bachelor's of Business Administration (Study Abroad), Supply Chain
2018 - 2018
Supply Chain intensive study abroad program following a serious of products through Target Corporation's supply chain from factory in Shenzhen, China, through distribution centers in Long Beach, California.
7 Reviews
Overall Rating
5.0
Sam has helped clients get into these companies: