Yiyi Z.

Yiyi Z.

4 followers

Columbia Business School Logo

Studied at Columbia Business School

Crimson Education Logo

Works at Crimson Education

Available tomorrow at 2:00 PM UTC

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About Yiyi

Hi future MBA candidates! My name is Yiyi, and I’m so excited you’re beginning (or even just thinking about beginning!) your MBA journey. I know firsthand how stressful, overwhelming, and honestly all-consuming the application process can feel. When I was applying, I constantly questioned whether my story was “good enough,” whether I was making the right decisions, and how to juggle essays, interviews, and life at the same time. So if you’re feeling any combination of anxious, excited, confused, or determined — you’re in the right place, and you’re definitely not alone. I became a coach because going through the process genuinely changed my life. I’m now a proud Columbia Business School alum, and I was fortunate to receive offers from Wharton, Booth, Kellogg, Tuck, Yale SOM, Duke Fuqua, and Cornell Johnson. I want to pay forward everything I learned — the strategy, the storytelling, the self-reflection, the “what I wish I knew earlier,” and the creative ways to stand out even if you come from a more traditional background. A bit about me: I have 7+ years of management consulting experience at Kearney in New York, where I specialize in luxury retail, beauty, fashion, and consumer insights. Before CBS, I graduated from Carnegie Mellon University with a double major in Business Administration & Statistics and a minor in Professional Writing. During my MBA, I dove deep into luxury and retail — completing internships across Neutrogena (Kenvue), Hugo Boss, and Authentic Brands Group. So if you’re interested in luxury retail, beauty, fashion, marketing within consulting, or navigating the intersection of brand + analytics, I’m especially excited to chat. I love helping candidates figure out how to translate their experiences into a compelling narrative — whether you’re in consulting, banking, tech, or a completely different field. Most importantly, I truly believe there’s no single “perfect” MBA profile. There’s only your story — and together, we can shape it in a way that feels authentic, differentiated, and inspiring. I can’t wait to support you in this process. Feel free to reach out if you’d like to schedule a quick intro call, ask questions, or get early feedback on your application strategy. You’ve got this — and I’d love to help you along the way!

Why do I coach?

I coach because I love helping people uncover what makes their story genuinely compelling. Every applicant has unique strengths, but it can be hard to see them clearly when you're in the middle of the process. I’m passionate about guiding candidates through that discovery, especially those from traditional or competitive backgrounds, so they can present their experiences with confidence and authenticity. Seeing candidates step into their power and get into programs they once thought were out of reach is one of the most rewarding feelings.

Work Experience

Crimson Education Logo

Senior Strategist

Crimson Education

December 2024 - Present

Senior Strategist providing comprehensive undergraduate and MBA admissions guidance to 20+ students each year. Shape academic and extracurricular strategy, build application positioning, and support students in crafting authentic and differentiated narratives. Deliver high-impact essay coaching, from outlining to final refinement, to help students present their strongest and most compelling applications.

Kearney Logo

Senior Associate

Kearney

July 2018 - Present

Interviewer

Senior Associate specializing in luxury, beauty, fashion, and consumer retail. Led strategy and operations projects for global apparel, skincare, and haircare portfolios, improving speed-to-shelf, product quality, and operational efficiency. Co-authored multiple consumer insights publications on prestige beauty, social commerce, and global health trends. Served on the Kearney Consumer Institute core team, producing quarterly insights used by senior retail and brand leaders.

Empowerly Logo

Senior College Admissions Counselor

Empowerly

June 2022 - December 2025

Senior College Counselor managing a 40+ student portfolio across grades 9–12, with a focus on applicants targeting business, economics, and quantitative majors. Created individualized academic, testing, and extracurricular roadmaps while guiding students through multi-round essay development. Supported families through every stage of the admissions process, helping students earn acceptances to top institutions including Harvard, UPenn, Brown, Cornell, Dartmouth, Carnegie Mellon, Vanderbilt, and UC Berkeley.

Authentic Brands Group Logo

MBA Brand Management Intern

Authentic Brands Group

August 2023 - April 2024

Worked on brand strategy and partnerships for ABG’s Entertainment & Icon brands. Assessed collaboration opportunities, developed executive-ready pitch materials, and supported partnerships such as Marilyn Monroe × Tiffany & Co.

Kenvue Logo

MBA Brand Management Intern

Kenvue

May 2023 - August 2023

MBA Brand Management Intern on the Neutrogena team, developing platform-specific content and digital activation strategies across YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok. Built a YouTube recommendation-aligned content roadmap, refreshed monthly social analytics, and identified opportunities to optimize messaging and boost conversion intent. Collaborated cross-functionally with brand, insights, and creative teams to strengthen digital performance for priority categories.

Yiyi was also given offers to work at

  • The Hershey Company Logo

    The Hershey Company

  • Levi's Logo

    Levi's

  • Kohl's Logo

    Kohl's

Education

Columbia Business School Logo

Columbia Business School

MBA, Luxury Retail & Marketing

2022 - 2024

Focused on luxury retail and marketing, serving as VP across multiple clubs including the Retail & Luxury Goods Club, Beauty Club, and Columbia Women in Business. Co-President of the Alleycon Technology Conference and VP of Connect for the Hermes Society. Served as a Teaching Assistant for The Business of Aesthetics taught by former LVMH Chair Pauline Brown. Completed internships with Neutrogena (Kenvue), Hugo Boss, and Authentic Brands Group.

Carnegie Mellon University Logo

Carnegie Mellon University

Bachelors of Science, Business Administration & Statistics

2014 - 2018

Yiyi was also personally admitted to

  • Columbia Business School Logo

    Columbia Business School

  • Yale School of Management Logo

    Yale School of Management

  • Dartmouth College Logo

    Dartmouth College

  • Johnson Graduate School of Management (Cornell) Logo

    Johnson Graduate School of Management (Cornell)

  • The Wharton School (UPenn) Logo

    The Wharton School (UPenn)

  • Duke's Fuqua School of Business Logo

    Duke's Fuqua School of Business

Yiyi Z.

Yiyi Z.

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