Leland+ Content Library

Breaking into VC from a non-traditional background

There’s no single path into venture capital—and you don’t need the “perfect” pedigree to break in. What you do need is strategy, positioning, and a clear understanding of how funds actually think about talent. In this session, we’ll unpack how to translate non-traditional experiences into investor-ready strengths, build credibility in startup ecosystems, and network in ways that lead to real opportunities. If you’re ready to turn an unconventional background into a competitive advantage, this is where your VC journey begins.

Law School: Apps & Their Bits and Pieces

A law school application is made up of many moving parts, and understanding how they fit together is key. This session is designed to break down each component of the law school application and how they work together to tell a cohesive story. In this event, you’ll learn the role of LSAT scores, transcripts, personal statements, resumes, and recommendations, along with common mistakes to avoid. Whether you’re just starting out or refining your materials, you’ll leave with a clearer picture of how to build a strong application.

Differentiate your MBA Application: School Research & Networking Part 1 of 2

⚡School research and networking are the secret weapons that separate good MBA applicants from the ones admissions committees can’t forget. They shape every part of your application, from essays and interviews to your ability to turn a waitlist into an admit. Yet most applicants never learn how to do them at the level that truly changes the game. This is Part 1 of a two-part workshop series. In this session, you will learn the research and networking strategy and methods. You will then have two weeks to complete your own school research and networking as guided homework. In Part 2, I will demonstrate how to put this work into action through a live walkthrough, including discussion of participant progress and real questions that arise during the process. ⚠️Register for Part 2 in the event calendar on March 13th Part 1 has been my most popular event, run multiple times each year, and consistently rated by attendees as one of the most helpful and actionable MBA preparation sessions they’ve experienced. This is the first time I am introducing the Part 2 execution workshop. In this session, you’ll discover how to: 🔷 Conduct deep-dive school research that goes far beyond websites and brochures 🔷 Strategically network with the right people, turning what may be the greatest networking opportunity of your life into a clear advantage for admission and beyond 🔷 Create an MBA Journey document that becomes your central reference for aligning fit, goals, and contributions across the application 🔷 Integrate your findings seamlessly into essays, interviews, networking conversations, and campus interactions You’ll learn how to pinpoint the exact courses, professors, centers, career services, experiential programs, internships, clubs, culture elements, current students, and alumni connections that will help you achieve your goals, and how to clearly show the value you will bring in return. By the end of this session, you will know how to demonstrate, with clarity and credibility, that you and your target MBA program are the right fit for each other. Bonus Offer ✅1 attendee will receive a free 1-hour coaching session. ✅All attendees may request a free copy of the MBA Research & Networking Template. ⚡Spots are limited. Register now to gain the advantage that can set your MBA application apart.

Cracking Round 3 MBA: How I Got Admitted in the Final Round

Round 3 MBA admissions can feel unpredictable and highly competitive, but strong candidates still win seats with the right positioning and strategy. In this session, we’ll break down how to approach the final round strategically, address timing concerns head-on, and craft a compelling narrative that demonstrates urgency, fit, and readiness. You’ll gain practical insight into how admissions committees evaluate Round 3 applicants and how to maximize your chances even late in the cycle.

Strategies for Crushing the New HBS Essays

Harvard Business School’s updated essay prompts demand clarity of purpose, strong self-awareness, and a narrative that goes beyond polished accomplishments. This session breaks down what the new HBS essays are really testing, how to approach each prompt strategically, and how to craft responses that feel authentic while signaling leadership, impact, and future potential. Whether you’re brainstorming ideas or refining drafts, you’ll leave with a clearer framework for writing essays that resonate with HBS admissions readers.

Session 1 - Application Strategy and Fundamentals

Session 1 from Mar26 Dental School bootcamp

Build your MVP with Lovable and n8n

Are you ready to build your first website using Lovable and n8n? Join me as I guide you through the fundamentals of AI, prompt engineering, and integrating AI tools seamlessly into your projects. In this session we'll create a design for our website using free AI Resources, a n8n pipeline to save user's contacts and the actual website with Lovable. With a background in helping tech teams enhance productivity and coaching over 100 individuals to leverage AI tools effectively, I am excited to share my knowledge and help you optimize your processes. Whether you're a beginner or looking to refine your skills, this session will provide you with the insights and techniques needed to create real AI workflows from day one.

The Investment Banking Behavior Interview: Prove Your Value

Investment banking behavioral interviews test more than fit—they assess judgment, resilience, and whether you’ll add value on day one. In this session, you’ll learn how to structure compelling stories, highlight impact under pressure, and answer common questions with clarity and confidence. Whether you’re preparing for first rounds or superdays, you’ll leave with a repeatable framework to stand out in behavioral interviews.

Cold Emails That Land Warm

Most cold partnership emails fail before the second sentence and it's not because the sender lacks a good product, but because they lead with themselves instead of the person they're writing to. This guide is built from real outreach across nearly two decades of building companies in food, wellness, experiential events, and matchmaking. It covers six partnership types: brand-to-brand, venue and experiential, distribution and retail, media and press, investor introductions, and sponsors and collaborators with two copy-paste templates per section and a bonus section of real emails from actual deals, with breakdowns of exactly why each one landed. Built for early-stage founders sending their first partnership emails. No theory. No generic advice. Just the structure that works.

Why Getting Started Now Matters for College Applications

The strongest college applications are built over time, not rushed together senior year. In this panel, admissions experts will break down why starting early gives you a meaningful edge and what students should actually be doing now to stay ahead. You’ll learn how to think strategically about academics, extracurriculars, leadership, and narrative development long before applications open. Whether you’re a freshman, sophomore, or junior, this session will help you understand how small decisions today can shape stronger outcomes later.

Frameworking Mindset Shifts: How to Solve Any Case Prompt

After this session, you will have a repeatable mental framework for approaching any case prompt, regardless of industry or format. We will cover how to identify the core question beneath a prompt, how to structure your thinking before you speak, and how to shift your mindset from solving to synthesizing the way strong candidates consistently do.

Eating for Weight Loss

Eating nutritiously means making choices that support your health. When creating meal options, it’s important to include a variety of carbohydrates, proteins, and healthy fats on your weekly grocery list. Incorporating these macronutrients, along with plenty of fiber, will provide balance to meals, help you stay full longer, and prevent blood sugar spikes and crashes. This resource includes pro tips and even a recipe or two! Enjoy!

The $100K H-1B Pathway: Landing Your Role in BigTech

Breaking into Big Tech on an H-1B can feel overwhelming, but the right strategy can dramatically increase your odds. In this session, we’ll break down how candidates successfully land six-figure roles at top tech companies while navigating visa considerations, recruiting timelines, and employer sponsorship realities. You’ll learn how to position your skills for high-impact roles, target companies and teams that regularly sponsor, and avoid common mistakes that limit international candidates’ opportunities. Whether you’re early in your search or actively recruiting, this session will give you a clearer roadmap to securing a Big Tech role that supports long-term career growth in the U.S.

What Good Looks Like - Product Leadership

A clear, practical look at the skills and habits that make great Product Leaders — straight from a product leader.

SWE Recruiting Quick Start

A practical companion to “How Engineers Avoid Burnout During Recruiting Cycles,” this quick start guide helps you turn insights into action—structuring your search, preparing impactful examples, and managing your time and energy throughout the recruiting process.

How to Lead the Room with Executive Presence

Executive presence is one of those phrases that gets thrown around a lot in leadership conversations. You've probably heard it. You may have even been told you need more of it. But here's the problem: most people can't tell you what it actually means. It's not charisma. It's not being the loudest person in the room. It's not even being the most polished. Executive presence is the ability to make people feel — in your presence — that things are under control, that someone capable is leading, and that their time and attention is being respected. It's a signal. And like any signal, it can be developed, sharpened, and directed. This guide is built around three pillars that I've seen transform how executives show up: Clarity, Credibility, and Confidence. They're related — and yes, they overlap. But they each do distinct work, and understanding the difference matters.

How Top GMAT Scorers Decode Quant Word Problems

Quant word problems trip up even strong test-takers, not because the math is too hard, but because the translation from words to equations isn't always obvious. This session is for GMAT studiers who feel confident with formulas but keep losing points when problems are wrapped in real-world scenarios. You'll leave with a clearer process for identifying what a problem is actually asking, recognizing the structural patterns that appear most frequently across high-difficulty questions, and avoiding the misreads that consistently cost test-takers valuable points.

MIT Sloan MBA Résumé Requirements

MIT Sloan has specific résumé requirements that MBA applicants must adhere to. This guide outlines those requirements.

Equity Research Recruiting 101: Strategic Planning

Equity research recruiting rewards candidates who plan ahead. This session cuts through the noise to show how the process really works and how to approach it with intention. You’ll learn what hiring teams care about, how to prepare your stock pitch and resume, and when to network for maximum impact. Whether you’re just exploring equity research or getting ready to recruit, you’ll leave with a sharper strategy and clearer next steps.