Leland+ Content Library

Startup Insights: Lessons From Successful Founders

​​​​​​​​Building a company from the ground up comes with both challenges and breakthroughs. In this panel, you’ll hear directly from successful founders who have navigated the early stages of entrepreneurship and scaled their startups into thriving businesses. ​Our panelists will share candid stories about their journeys, the biggest lessons they’ve learned, and what they wish they knew when starting out. From fundraising and product development to hiring and growth, you’ll gain actionable insights into what it really takes to build and lead a successful startup.

How to Make a Big International Career Move Without Wrecking Your Momentum [7/11/2026] (Recording)

Most international moves are planned as logistical exercises of visas, postcodes, and shipping boxes. But for high-performing professionals, the real risk isn't the paperwork; it’s the loss of career momentum. Whether you are choosing between staying where you are, applying for a degree abroad, or making a direct leap into a new market, the stakes are high. In this session, we move beyond the "backpacking expat" advice. We will look at how to evaluate international opportunities through a strategic lens, ensuring your next move compounds your future rather than interrupting it. We’ll discuss the exact frameworks used with mid-career professionals and high-achieving students to choose between cities like Copenhagen, Vienna, or Sydney, and how to know when a degree is a bridge, and when it’s just expensive avoidance. By the end of this livestream, you will be able to: 1. Apply the 4-Part Decision Lens: Evaluate any move based on career upside, visa/work-right reality, ROI/financial runway, and emotional sustainability. 2. Audit Your Path: Determine whether a direct job search, a Master’s/MBA bridge, or a hybrid strategy is the most viable route for your specific career stage. 3. Identify Momentum Killers: Recognize the common mistakes (like over-researching or under-translating experience) that cause high-performers to stall during relocation. 4. Draft a Post-Move Narrative: Begin framing your move so it fits into a coherent professional story that international recruiters actually trust. Outcomes 1. A Clearer Go/No-Go Framework: A structured way to stop second-guessing your choice between staying or going. 2. A Bridge Audit: Clarity on whether that degree you're considering is actually necessary for your target market's visa and hiring rules. 3. The Translation Checklist: A list of what in your current background needs to be pruned or massaged to make sense to an employer in a different system.

Applying to College in 2026? Here’s What You Should Be Doing Each Month [9/21/2026] (Recording)

In this session, former admissions director, Loubna Bouamane, will walk students and parents through the real college admissions timeline from May through December — including what actually matters each month if you're aiming for competitive U.S. universities. We’ll cover: How to build a balanced college list strategically When students should start essays (and why waiting until September is risky) How extracurriculars and summer activities should be positioned What admissions officers notice early in the review process Common mistakes students make over the summer Testing timelines, recommendation strategy, and application planning How to avoid creating an application that feels overly polished or AI-generated This session is especially helpful for: Rising seniors applying in Fall 2026 International students navigating the U.S. admissions process Families targeting selective colleges and universities Students feeling overwhelmed or behind

The 5 Traits of Memorable College Applicants [7/1/2026] (Recording)

Memorable college applicants aren’t always the ones with the longest resumes, they’re the ones who present themselves with clarity, purpose, and authenticity. This session is for students who want to understand what actually makes an application stand out at highly competitive schools. You’ll learn the five traits that consistently show up in strong applicants, how admissions readers evaluate potential, and how to highlight your strengths in a more compelling way. Join live to ask questions about your own application strategy and hear directly from a former Harvard admissions officer. The speaker has reviewed countless applications and now coaches students through the admissions process, giving them a unique perspective on what resonates most with top schools. Expect practical guidance and insights similar to what’s discussed in 1:1 admissions coaching conversations.

Applying to College in 2026? Here’s What You Should Be Doing Each Month [5/27/2026] (Recording)

In this session, former admissions director, Loubna Bouamane, will walk students and parents through the real college admissions timeline from May through December — including what actually matters each month if you're aiming for competitive U.S. universities. We’ll cover: How to build a balanced college list strategically When students should start essays (and why waiting until September is risky) How extracurriculars and summer activities should be positioned What admissions officers notice early in the review process Common mistakes students make over the summer Testing timelines, recommendation strategy, and application planning How to avoid creating an application that feels overly polished or AI-generated This session is especially helpful for: Rising seniors applying in Fall 2026 International students navigating the U.S. admissions process Families targeting selective colleges and universities Students feeling overwhelmed or behind

Breaking Into VC Without the “Right” Background: What Works, What Doesn’t, What No One Tells You

Breaking into venture capital without an elite pedigree isn’t about luck, it’s about strategy. In this tactical session you’ll learn how VC firms actually evaluate candidates, beyond resumes and brand names, and how to manufacture the signals that matter. We’ll break down: What top firms optimize for (judgment, access, velocity, communication, signal) Why proof-of-work beats credentials, and how to build it How to choose a wedge so people know what you stand for A repeatable networking system that creates opportunity (not “coffee chats”) The hidden rules of VC interviews and internal decision-making A practical 30-day roadmap to become someone who’s already doing the job This isn’t generic career advice. It’s a playbook to build credibility, create leverage, and position yourself as a serious investor, even without the “right” background.

Applying to College in 2026? Here’s What You Should Be Doing Each Month [8/10/2026] (Recording)

In this session, former admissions director, Loubna Bouamane, will walk students and parents through the real college admissions timeline from May through December — including what actually matters each month if you're aiming for competitive U.S. universities. We’ll cover: How to build a balanced college list strategically When students should start essays (and why waiting until September is risky) How extracurriculars and summer activities should be positioned What admissions officers notice early in the review process Common mistakes students make over the summer Testing timelines, recommendation strategy, and application planning How to avoid creating an application that feels overly polished or AI-generated This session is especially helpful for: Rising seniors applying in Fall 2026 International students navigating the U.S. admissions process Families targeting selective colleges and universities Students feeling overwhelmed or behind

Deferred MBA M7 Series: Harvard

Join us for an insider-focused session on the Harvard Future Leaders deferred MBA program. Expert Leland coach and former HBS AdCom Geri T. will break down what makes HBS’s deferred pathway unique, how the admissions committee evaluates early-career candidates, and what “leadership potential” really looks like at this stage. You’ll learn how to position your experiences, craft a compelling narrative, and avoid the strategic mistakes most applicants make. Ideal for undergrads and master’s students aiming to build a standout HBS application from the ground up.

Start Early, Apply Strong: Successful PhD Timelines

Applying to PhD programs is a long process—and starting early can make all the difference. This session will help you build a strategic timeline to strengthen your application. You’ll learn how to plan each stage, from researching programs and preparing materials to securing recommendations and managing deadlines, while avoiding common pitfalls. Whether you’re just starting or refining your plan, you’ll leave with a clear roadmap for success.

ACE the ACT: Tips from 8+ years as an ACT tutor [5/21/2026] (Recording)

After this session, you will know how to approach the ACT with a clear, structured strategy built from eight years of working with real students. The coach will cover how to manage pacing across each section, which question types trip up even well-prepared students, and how to use process of elimination effectively on the Science and English sections. Attending live means you can ask about your specific score range, your weakest section, or the test date you are working toward, and hear a direct answer shaped by your situation. This coach has spent years identifying the patterns that separate students who plateau from those who break through, and that perspective is worth experiencing firsthand.

How to Nail the “Why Us” & Other Supplemental Essays [9/13/2026] (Recording)

Your personal statement tells colleges who you are. Your supplements show them why you belong at their school. At selective colleges, the “Why Us” essay is one of your biggest opportunities to stand out—and one of the easiest places to blend in. Too many students write a generic essay: great academics, great location, great community, felt like home. That essay could have been written for any school. I’m a Stanford- and Columbia-educated writing coach, and in this livestream I’ll show you what a strong “Why Us” essay is actually asking you to do, the mistakes that can undermine an otherwise strong application, and how to write supplements that are so specific and personal that no other applicant could have written them. We’ll also tackle other supplemental prompts you’re likely to encounter, including community, identity, and extracurricular essays. Bring your college list—you’ll leave with a clear strategy for researching each school and turning what you discover into compelling, highly specific essays.

Dental School Applications: Ask Me Anything

​Have questions about the dental school application process? Join us for Dental School Applications: Ask Me Anything, an open Q&A session where you can get your questions answered live. Whether you're just getting started or deep in secondaries, this is your chance to get personalized advice in real time. ​Ellen W., Former Director + Assistant Dean at the Columbia College of Dental Medicine and Fordham University will be leading this session. She's helped hundreds of successful applicants get into dental school. ​Bring any and all questions! Ellen will cover topics such as: ​How to approach and write compelling secondaries ​Strategies for standing out with your personal statement ​DAT prep timelines and best practices ​Building a strong activities section ​Letters of recommendation and how to guide your writers ​Application timelines and submission strategy ​What to expect in interviews ​No question is too small—stop by, get clarity, and feel more confident in your next steps.

How to Get Into Dental School Panel

​Applying to dental school can feel daunting, but the right strategy makes all the difference. In this panel, you’ll hear from Ellen W (Admissions at Columbia), Rachael K (Admissions at Iowa) and Zach W (UCLA and UCONN) who will share practical advice on how to stand out in the application process. ​We’ll cover everything from building a competitive academic and extracurricular profile, to crafting compelling personal statements, preparing for the DAT, and securing strong letters of recommendation. Panelists will also discuss common pitfalls to avoid and share their insider tips for navigating interviews with confidence. Whether you’re just starting to explore dentistry or are deep in the application process, this session will give you the clarity and tools to succeed.

Getting into the Most Competitive International MBA Programs [8/28/2026] (Recording)

The world's top international MBA programs look for more than impressive resumes. They seek applicants who demonstrate leadership, global perspective, and a compelling reason for pursuing an MBA abroad. This session is for prospective MBA applicants who want to strengthen their candidacy for highly competitive international business schools. You'll learn what distinguishes successful applicants, how admissions expectations differ across top global programs, and the strategies that can help your application stand out. Join live to hear from two MBA admissions experts with MBAs from the University of Oxford who have helped applicants navigate the international admissions process. They'll share practical application strategies, common pitfalls to avoid, and firsthand insights into what top international MBA programs are looking for. Expect actionable guidance you can immediately apply as you prepare your applications.

Reinventing Your Career in the Age of AI [9/22/2026] (Recording)

Are you ready to navigate the evolving landscape of career development in the age of AI? Join me, Carolyn, for an insightful session on reinventing your career. With an MBA in Corporate Strategy from the University of Michigan and a coaching certification from the Hudson Institute of Coaching, I bring a wealth of experience from my executive roles in the gaming and tech industries and from my coaching practice with leaders who have navigated career transformations. This event will focus on career planning and best practices and mindsets that will accelerate your thinking on your longer term career journey. Whether you're looking to pivot your career or enhance your current path, this session will provide valuable insights and strategies. Spaces are limited, so be sure to RSVP and secure your spot. I look forward to helping you shape your future in the age of AI!

MBA Interview Success: What Top Programs Look For

MBA interviews aren’t just about answering questions—they’re about showing who you are, how you think, and why you belong in a top-tier program. In this session, you’ll learn exactly how elite schools evaluate candidates, from behavioral depth and self-awareness to leadership potential and communication style. We’ll break down common interview formats (including blind interviews, behavioral deep dives, and scenario-based questions), teach you how to structure compelling answers, and share strategies for showcasing authenticity while still being polished and strategic. You’ll walk away with a clear playbook for standing out in any MBA interview setting.

The Consulting Interview Playbook: Fit, Case, and Market Sizing: 5 Years of Candidate Mistakes in 45 Minutes [9/23/2026] (Recording)

Fit, case, and market sizing - one session, 45 minutes. I've coached over 1,000 candidates across 95+ countries, and the same mistakes show up over and over. This workshop is built entirely around those mistakes: what actually gets candidates cut, and what to do instead. This session wlllbe useful whether you're just starting prep and want to skip the mistakes that waste countless hours, or you've got an interview tomorrow and need to catch the errors that make or break it. If you're anywhere in the interview prep journey, this is for you.

What PhD Admissions Committees Actually Look For: How Competitive Applicants Stand Out (Beyond GPA, GRE, and Publications) [8/19/2026] (Recording)

After this session, you will know how to position your research narrative, identify the right faculty advisors to contact, and frame your Statement of Purpose around the criteria that actually drive admissions decisions. Most applicants over-index on GPA and publications while missing the relational and intellectual signals that committees weight heavily, and this session is built around closing that gap. Attending live means you can describe your specific background and get a direct read on where your application stands and what to address first. Watching a recording cannot replicate that. The coach works with PhD applicants across disciplines every day and will share the patterns that consistently separate competitive candidates from qualified ones who still do not advance.

Ask Me Anything: IB Recruiting Insights from a Former Lazard Banker

Breaking into investment banking is competitive—especially if you're targeting elite boutiques or specialized coverage groups. In this AMA-style workshop, Akaash P.—a former Lazard banker with hands-on experience across Media & Telecom, Restructuring (RX), FIG, Energy, and Software—will give you an inside look at what it takes to stand out in IB recruiting. Drawing on cross-sector banking and investing experience, as well as coaching candidates into top groups at elite firms, Akaash will answer your questions on technical prep, industry-specific expectations, crafting a differentiated story, and navigating competitive recruiting processes. Whether you're aiming for M&T, RX, FIG, Energy, or Software roles, or simply want to understand the landscape better, you’ll leave with clear, actionable insights to elevate your recruiting strategy.

The Essay Tips That Got Me Into HBS [10/28/2026] (Recording)

Applying to Harvard or another program this cycle? In this livestream, I will share five simple essay tips to help you stand out in the competititve MBA Landscape without AI. I am Diego Flores-Alvarez, a Harvard Business School MBA '24. I was admitted to all six MBA programs I applied to, including HBS, Kellogg, IESE, Georgetown, Duke, and Georgia Tech. I coached myself through the entire process, and I give a lot of credit to my essays and story building. I also coach in Spanish. I bring a holistic and person-focused approach to coaching. Whether you're applying for a traditional full-time MBA or just starting to explore your options, this session is designed to provide you with actionable advice and strategies in your essays. I look forward to meeting you!