Michelle S.
5.0
Break into VC (Stanford Grad; Investor @ Pear, Contrary, GSV)
Studied at Stanford Graduate School of Business
Works at Google
Not currently taking new clients
If my calendar doesn't work for your schedule, let me know! I'm able to move things around to make sure we have plenty of time to work together. :)
Michelle’s Venture Capital Qualifications
Experience level: Analyst
Open to working with clients outside the U.S.
Hey! I've been a Lead Venture Partner at Contrary Capital, intern at GSV Ventures (ed-tech focused fund), and scout for Pear VC. I also ran Cardinal Ventures, a nonprofit accelerator, wherein alumni companies have gone on to raise $540M+ in capital from Sequoia, First Round, Y Combinator, Tim Cook, Marissa Mayer, and more. Then, I founded College Ventures, a network of 60+ universities focused on launching student-run accelerators. Plus, I co-founded Friends & Family, a nonprofit for startup builders at Stanford. I'll also be headed back to Stanford in a few years to get my MBA at the GSB. I know what it's like to recruit into VC with no investing experience, craft a believable narrative, and curate a network that will help you succeed as an investor. I've cold-emailed my way into this industry, and I want to help you do the same!
Michelle can help with:
LinkedIn Review
Promotion Strategy
Resume Review
Networking Strategy
Salary Negotiation
Technical Interview Prep
Behavioral Interview Prep
About Michelle
Hey there! I'm an APM at Google, deferred admit to Harvard Business School and Stanford GSB, and recent Stanford grad. I've spent time as a PM in Big Tech and startups, and I worked in venture capital beforehand. I know firsthand what it feels like to not be "technical" enough and pivot from finance/consulting/business development roles to tech. My clients have secured PM internships in Big Tech and multiple startups, and analyst roles at leading VC funds. In the past, I've been an APM intern at Google, a Founding Product Manager at Harbor (a startup acquired by Citizen App), a PM at Stanford product studio, and an investor at Contrary Capital, GSV Ventures, and Pear VC. I've run multiple startup accelerators, and even founded one. I see how marrying entrepreneurial passion and understanding of the business ecosystem can make you a super strong, differentiated B school applicant. As your coach, I can help you: - Make a narrative that makes answering "What matters to you? Why this school?" a piece of cake - Craft a resume that showcases your strengths, and speak to what admissions really cares about - Prep your recommenders so your rec letters amplify your application - Quickly boost your GRE score (1-3 months!) - Write short answer questions that fill in the gaps of your application persona ...and more. I also see myself as your cheerleader. Applying's a really difficult, mental game and I've been in your shoes. Happy to be in your corner and keep you motivated. :)
Why do I coach?
I coach because I know how long and arduous recruiting and applying to grad school can be. By doing mock interviews, editing my resume a ton, cold emailing, reading lots of books, and re-crafting my narrative, I've worked hard to secure an internship and full-time APM role at Google (with acceptances to places like Microsoft, Atlassian, and more). This then empowered me to kick ass at grad school applications - and I got into Stanford GSB and Harvard 2+2! I've mentored multiple deferred applicants before, and I've come to Leland to officially launch my coaching after awesome feedback from my clients - and I can't wait to help more people breakthrough!
Work Experience
APM
August 2023 - Present
Lead Venture Partner
Contrary
June 2020 - Present
APM Intern
June 2022 - September 2022
Product Manager
Stanford Student Enterprises
October 2021 - June 2022
Built websites and apps for clients at Cardinal Labs, a nonprofit product studio run by Stanford students.
Founding Product Manager
Citizen
September 2020 - August 2021
I worked at Harbor, a startup acquired by Citizen (https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwio5frHqrL_AhUbADQIHV65An4QFnoECA8QAw&url=https%3A%2F%2Ftechcrunch.com%2F2022%2F01%2F26%2Fcrime-tracking-app-citizen-acquires-harbor-a-disaster-prep-app%2F%23%3A~%3Atext%3DThe%2520controversial%2520crime%2520watch%2520app%2Cthe%2520financials%2520of%2520the%2520deal.&usg=AOvVaw2jQjLxC3WJqYEFLXs-knkb).
Managing Director
Cardinal Ventures
November 2019 - May 2021
VC Analyst Intern
GSV Ventures
April 2020 - June 2020
Venture Scout
Pear VC
November 2019 - June 2020
Michelle was also given offers to work at
Microsoft
Atlassian
Education
Stanford Graduate School of Business
MBA, Business
Accepted via deferral program.
Stanford University
Bachelor of Science, Management Science and Engineering
2018 - 2033
Michelle was also personally admitted to
Cornell University
Brown University
Duke University
George Washington University
Vassar College
State University of New York at Binghamton
Harvard Business School
3 Reviews
Overall Rating
5.0
Knowledge
5.00
Value
5.00
Responsiveness
5.00
Supportiveness
5.00
Michelle has helped Leland clients get into Atlassian