Career Coaching, Events, and Resources

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'm a serial Fortune 500 executive who’s successfully navigated organizations of all sizes and types. In addition to accelerating my own career for the past 20+ years, I've led global teams of up to 1000 and guided countless others toward their own raises and promotions. I know that every organization has a unique code to be unlocked and I'm ready to help you figure out what YOU need to do to get raises and promotions. See testimonials at https://www.theexecutiveexpress.com

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.

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’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.

If you’re at a crossroads, you don’t need more generic advice. You need clarity on what you actually want, language that captures what you’re great at, and a strategy you can follow without second-guessing yourself. In our work, you’ll get focused support to identify the right next roles, translate your strengths into a compelling story, and take confident action—resume, LinkedIn, networking, interviews, and decision decisions included. My approach is shaped by 25 years at Pfizer leading career growth and early talent—designing the programs, frameworks, and pathways that help people move. I built enterprise-wide career growth initiatives, supported mobility across functions, and helped early-career talent launch strong starts. I understand what hiring leaders look for, how internal and external moves really happen, and why capable people get stuck even when they’re doing everything “right.” You’ll leave with a clear direction, sharper positioning, and a step-by-step plan you’ll actually use. Expect practical tools, honest reflection, and momentum you can feel—because your next chapter deserves more than guessing.

I help mid-career and senior professionals navigate career transitions with clarity, confidence, and strategy. With a track record of building recruitment processes and assessing talent for world-class companies like McKinsey and Amazon, I know exactly what employers look for and how hiring decisions are made. I combine that insider knowledge with my certifications in life and success coaching, mindset coaching, NLP and an ACC level certicication from ICF to deliver a unique approach that blends practical job search strategy with transformational mindset work. My clients leave our sessions with a clear plan, stronger positioning, and the tools to secure opportunities that align with their goals, strengths, and values.

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!

I’ve navigated a career path that spans consulting, Big Tech, and mid-market PE operations - experiences that give me a unique perspective as a coach. I started in management consulting at Deloitte, advising executives on strategy and transformation. From there, I transitioned into Google, where I worked across partnerships, strategy, and technical sales, learning how to thrive in one of the world’s most competitive tech environments. Today, as a Director of operations at Valsoft, I act as an operations executive across a portfolio of software companies, helping leadership teams grow and operate effectively. Having made these transitions myself, I know firsthand how to break into new industries, succeed once you’re in, and build the skills to lead — and I bring that experience directly into my coaching.

Through-out my career, I have heavily invested in coaching and sought opportunities to help others develop in their careers. I have specific expertise in Retail / CPG / Ecommerce, Top-Tier MBB Management Consulting, MBA applications, and Strategy & Operations. I am passionate about helping others achieve their career and personal goals, whether it be through career advancement, work-life balance, coaching & development, etc. I am especially invested in helping women succeed in their careers - and helping working moms navigate pre- and post-baby.