Career Coaching, Events, and Resources

I bring over 12 years of big tech experience to my coaching, including 8 years directly in Product Management where I have navigated the specific pressures and complexities of high-stakes corporate environments. My qualifications are rooted in the dual perspective of a practitioner and a decision-maker; I have not only led major product initiatives through organizational shifts and function changes, but I have also sat on the hiring panels that determine who gets the role and who doesn't. This "insider" knowledge allows me to provide my clients with a clear, unsmoothed view of what leadership is actually looking for in top-tier product talent. Beyond my corporate tenure, I have dedicated myself to the formal study and teaching of career strategy as a guest lecturer at Columbia Business School and NYU. I have spent years hiring, mentoring, and advocating for professionals, helping them master the art of salary negotiation and self-advocacy. I don't just offer abstract advice, I provide a proven framework for navigating NYC’s competitive landscape, setting rigorous goals, and architecting a career path that reflects your true value.

Welcome to my profile! With over 550 hours of coaching experience, I specialize in career development for executive leaders, focusing on maximizing leadership potential through personalized development plans. My extensive background includes roles such as Senior Product Manager at Apple, where I led key AI/ML initiatives, and Staff Program Management Leader at Uber, overseeing global data delivery efforts. I have a proven track record of fostering a culture of equity, diversity, inclusion, and engagement, and I excel in conducting organizational assessments to identify and implement strategic improvements. Whether you're looking to enhance your leadership skills or navigate complex career transitions, I'm here to provide tailored guidance and support. Let's connect and take your career to the next level!

Over 13 yrs, I've helped 6,000+ career changers get clear on their positioning, optimize their search, and land roles clients land roles across 20+ different fields - from people, art, & communication careers (therapy, marketing, L&D) to STEM (engineering, quant finance, AI/ML). I specialize in neurodivergence & nonlinear career paths, with clients consistently entering roles in quant/STEM. We focus on getting clear on what you want and what you don't, then balancing branding, upskilling, and networking (all essential in this market). We also focus on what's working in THIS market, where you need to balance searching for a bridge job (something temporary where you can get your foot in the door) and getting closer to your target role (what you actually want to be doing next). You'll receive guidance, frequent feedback, and - for packages - have access to an online community for job seekers and career changers. I've worked with hundreds of recruiters and hiring managers over the years (working on hiring teams and sourcing candidates), so I provide insight into the unspoken criteria they are weighing you against, and how you stack up to your conversation.

Welcome to my profile! I empower individuals to overcome limiting beliefs and unlock their full career potential. Whether you are starting your career, contemplating a change, or seeking to enhance your skills, I am here to support you. As a versatile professional with over 20 years of experience, I have transitioned from a successful corporate career at Google Inc. to entrepreneurship, demonstrating a well-rounded collection of experiences. My approach to career development coaching is deeply personalized. Drawing from my psychology background and diverse experience in various organizations, I've guided clients to achieve their professional goals. I use tangible frameworks and actionable insights tailored to your unique values and aspirations. Each of us has untapped strengths to discover, and your career is the vehicle to explore those skills. I'm a lifelong learner who leads with passion and finds the most fulfillment in helping you grow while attaching purpose to your work. Let's work together to build your confidence and create a roadmap for your career success.

I specialize in helping ambitious people find clarity to make career decisions that others call risky. I've coached people through finding new career paths, deciding on grad school, changing jobs, and launching businesses. My clients are leaders and high performers who are considering moves that involve risks or don't fit the traditional narrative—major career pivots, walking away from prestigious opportunities, or choosing the less “safe” option. My approach is rooted in established frameworks—Adult Developmental Theory, Adaptive Leadership, and Immunity to Change, among others. I've received training in leading and managing change from Harvard Kennedy School, Minds at Work, and Cultivating Leadership, and I am currently pursuing my PCC-level ICF coaching certification. Most career coaching is advice-based and about minimizing or managing risk. I help people do something much harder: rebalance your risk appetite and find unconventional ways to take smart risks. My coaching is about rethinking your “negative space” to expand what's possible. Whether you're navigating a pivot or weighing a decision that feels like it defies conventional wisdom, I'll help you find clarity and take action.

I’ve spent the last several years helping people navigate high-impact career decisions while building and leading teams at fast-growing startups. As CTO & co-founder at Leland, I’ve worked closely with hiring, interviewing, mentorship, leadership development, and team building across engineering and cross-functional roles. My experience includes: CTO & Co-founder at Leland Former Head of Engineering leading and scaling engineering teams Hiring and mentoring engineers across internship, entry-level, senior, and leadership roles Conducting technical and behavioral interviews for candidates from a wide range of backgrounds Advising people on career direction, compensation, promotions, leadership growth, and startup vs. big tech decisions I work best with ambitious people who want clear, practical, and honest guidance on questions like: What should I optimize for in my career right now? How do I position myself for better opportunities? Should I pursue startups, big tech, management, or entrepreneurship? How do I become a stronger communicator, leader, or operator? How do I stand out in competitive hiring processes? My coaching style is direct, strategic, and highly actionable. I focus less on generic advice and more on helping people make thoughtful decisions that compound over time.

Career decisions are rarely simple. Most of the people I work with aren't sure what they want next, or they know but aren't sure how to get there, and either way, it helps to have someone in your corner to think it through with. That's the part I love most about coaching: helping you get clear on what matters to you and figuring out a rea way to move toward it. My own journey has taught me a lot about this. As a Navy officer, I've led teams through difficult, high-pressure situations, and along the way I went back to school for an MBA and a couple of master's degrees, so I understand how it feels to juggle big goals with real life. I've also spent years mentoring and coaching people one-on-one, and what I've learned is that no two situations are the same. I'll meet you where you are, listen first, and help you build a plan that actually fits your life, whether you're after a promotion, a change of direction, or just a clearer sense of what's next. If that sounds like what you need, I'd be glad to help.

Leland recognized me as a #5 Career Expert for 2026. 4.8 rating across 136 reviews. 4,500+ coaching minutes. Before I moved into People Analytics, I spent five years sourcing and recruiting at JPMorganChase, EY, and Fisher Investments. I screened candidates, ran behavioral interviews, and moved people through structured hiring processes using the same STAR-based frameworks I now teach. My current role in People Analytics at JPMC adds something most career coaches don't have. I work inside the data on how a large organization actually hires. I see which candidate profiles get offers and which don't. Most coaches know what job searching feels like. I know what hiring looks like from the inside.

Hi, I'm James. I served in the U.S. Navy before attending business school. During business school, I explored the startup path, built a company, and pitched to venture capitalists. Along the way, I also went through interview processes for almost every role you can think of: strategy and operations, software engineering, product management, and venture capital. One fun fact from that journey was receiving offers from Palantir for both the Deployment Strategist and Forward Deployed Software Engineer roles. I also received offers from Anduril Industries, Scale AI, AWS, Microsoft, and several other companies. Post-MBA, I joined Palantir as an FDE. Now I'm at a startup, and I'm having a blast. After navigating so many career decisions, interviews, and competing opportunities, I've learned a great deal about finding the right path. I'd love to share those lessons with others and help make their journey a little easier. Wherever you are in your career, I'd be honored to work with you.

Experienced management consultant and first-generation college graduate with 6+ years across Deloitte, Kearney, and enterprise SaaS, now leading global customer strategy at Workday. Justin built his career without an MBA or a target school pedigree, consistently landing roles that typically require one through intentional networking. Every job he's gotten has come through a connection, not a job board. He's passionate about helping professionals build their networks before they need them, whether you're navigating an industry being reshaped by AI or just want to know that if everything changed tomorrow, you'd have someone to call. He specializes in breaking into strategy and consulting, pivoting into people and talent analytics, and building relationships that create opportunities on their own. His approach is hands-on: auditing your network, building a plan, and coaching you through the outreach that moves the needle.