Career Coaching, Events, and Resources

The Insider Advantage: As a former Talent Sourcer and Recruiter at JPMorganChase and Fisher Investments, I’ve sat behind the curtain of competitive hiring machines. I have personally built talent pipelines, screened thousands of candidates, and conducted hundreds of interviews. This experience gives me a precise, data-driven understanding of how recruiters think—not just what makes a resume pass an ATS, but what makes a hiring manager choose one candidate over another for a life-changing role. Comprehensive Career Navigation: My coaching goes beyond the application; I provide a roadmap for the entire career lifecycle. Whether you are seeking Clarity through a complex career pivot, building a high-impact Personal Brand, or mastering High-Stakes Interviews and Salary Negotiation, I leverage my "insider" perspective to help you move with purpose. With over 2,000 minutes coached on Leland so far and a 5.0 rating from 20 clients, my mission is to serve as your strategic partner, turning your professional potential into a tangible, offer-ready reality

Welcome to my profile! As a Senior Business Analyst at McKinsey & Company, I have honed my skills in problem-solving, data analysis, and strategic recommendations, which are crucial for career development. My experience at McKinsey, combined with my academic background as a Class Valedictorian from Morehouse College and participation in Harvard Business School's Peek Weekend, equips me with a unique perspective on leadership and business challenges. I am passionate about helping clients navigate their career paths, leveraging my insights from working on diverse client projects. Whether you're looking to break into consulting or advance in your current role, I'm here to guide you every step of the way. Let's connect and chart a course for your career success!

Welcome to my profile! With over two decades of experience in career development and advising, I have guided over 1000 individuals to achieve their professional goals. As the former Assistant Dean of Graduate Career Services at USC Marshall School of Business and Associate Dean at Washington University's Olin Business School, I have honed my skills in problem-solving, communication, and student success. My extensive background includes directing career education at Indiana University and currently advising graduate programs at Duke University. Whether you're navigating career transitions or seeking to enhance your professional trajectory, I'm here to provide tailored support and strategic insights. Let's connect and chart your path to success!

I am passionate about the intersection of business and technology. I have an MBA from The University of Chicago Booth School of Business and hold a BS in Business Administration from UNC Kenan-Flagler. I have supported Admissions Committee interviews and TA'd Negotiations classes at Chicago Booth. From a professional perspective, I am currently a GM at AirGarage, a Series B startup, where I manage an 8-figure P&L. Prior to this, I led strategic pilot projects at Scale AI in the Generative AI space. Prior to this, I worked at Instacart for over 5 years where I helped scale Operations from Series E all the way through IPO. My experience began when I learned to solve for cold starts by launching markets across the US and Canada. Eventually this turned into a Senior Manager role where I led strategy and operations for our Canadian markets. Prior to Instacart, I have experience as a IBM Digital Strategy Consultant supporting retail clients. Over the years, I have successfully coached several individuals, helping them navigate the complexities of business strategy and operations. Whether you're looking to break into top companies, advance your career, or considering a top MBA program, I'm here to provide tailored guidance. Feel free to reach out to start your journey towards success!

I've guided 300+ students from underrepresented backgrounds into competitive careers at top companies, combining personal experience overcoming barriers with proven systems that deliver results. I've personally mentored students who landed roles at Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, and Bank of America, often helping them go from having no industry connections to securing life-changing opportunities. My own journey from a first-generation Nigerian-American immigrant to working at firms like General Atlantic, Goldman Sachs, and Lead Edge Capital gives me deep insight into what it really takes to break into competitive industries. I specialize in helping people who feel like outsiders figure out how to get insider access to the careers they want, using practical strategies based on real data from hundreds of successful career transitions.

Hello and welcome to my profile! With a robust background in business development and client solutions, I've honed my skills at top organizations like the NBA and Wasserman, where I contributed to significant revenue growth and strategic partnership development. My experience extends to the sports industry, having worked with the New England Patriots and Cleveland Browns, where I managed high-profile events and enhanced fan experiences. I also bring a strong foundation in sales and marketing from my time at Orangetheory Fitness and the University of Arizona Athletics. Whether you're looking to break into the sports industry or excel in business development, I'm here to guide you through every step of your career journey. Let's connect and craft a personalized strategy to achieve your professional goals!

Jake Cortez is a Vice President and Strategy Manager at JPMorgan Chase & Co., where he leads the strategic organization of operations teams for Employee Compute, one of the firm's most significant technology organizations. With over 17 combined years of experience in military and financial services, he is a transformational-focused leader who drives strategic and metrics alignment across global software development, engineering, operations, and technology incubation teams. He is also an alum of Harvard Business School and a combat veteran. He is a continual servant to the Veteran community as a leader, accelerating toward the diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) goals at scale. Specialties: Strategy Execution, Training, Administration, Operations Management, Development Planning, Process Development, Critical Thinking, Analytical Skills, Leadership, Communication Skills, Detail Oriented, Management Skills.

I’ve spent the past decade helping people navigate the moments in their career where clarity really matters - choosing their next role, redefining their path, or figuring out how to move forward when things feel uncertain. My background spans consulting, startups, product leadership, fractional executive work, and coaching founders and operators across industries. Along the way I’ve become a go-to person for helping others understand what they want, articulate their strengths, and make grounded decisions about their future. My coaching is practical, structured, and human. I help you slow down the noise, understand your options, and build a clear plan you can trust. Whether you’re exploring a new direction, preparing for interviews, repositioning your story, or trying to break into a new industry, I bring calm, clarity, and honest guidance. My goal is simple: help you make decisions you feel good about and move toward opportunities that actually fit who you are.

I’ve coached hundreds of tech professionals through interviews, promotions, pivots, and high-stakes career decisions. My background spans 20+ years in hiring and team leadership at LinkedIn, Microsoft, Lyft, and multiple startups. I’ve made hiring decisions as a people leader, partnered with execs on critical searches, and worked inside talent teams, so I know exactly how candidates get evaluated, and why some stall out. I specialize in turning career stories into offers. Whether you’re interviewing for a big next role, positioning yourself for internal growth, or planning a strategic pivot, I help you show up sharp, confident, and differentiated. My coaching is grounded in real-world hiring experience and shaped by what it actually takes to get hired and promoted in tech.

5+ years working in Big Tech and Start up Operations 2+ Years serving on Trustee Boards I've helped over 5+ people land their next career move