My background

I went through competitive admissions mid-career, including Harvard Business School, where I experienced firsthand what it takes to distill years of experience into a few pages — knowing every word will be scrutinized.

Before and after that, I worked in strategy and leadership roles where clarity, structure, and persuasion mattered in very real ways, including at Bain & Company and Unilever. 

Across consulting, hiring, and admissions contexts, I’ve seen how decisions are actually made. Not by who writes the longest essay, or uses the fanciest language — but by who demonstrates judgment: what to emphasize, what to leave out, and how to sound unmistakably human.

I’ve spent my career on the other side of high-stakes decisions.

That moment might be:

  • an admissions essay read by a committee,

  • a resume screened in seconds, or

  • an interview where everything hinges on how you show up.

My work exists for that moment — helping people prepare when judgment, not effort alone, determines the outcome.

A young Asian woman with shoulder-length dark hair smiling, wearing a floral-patterned blouse, sitting on a striped booth in a restaurant or cafe.

What I help with

Today, I work one-on-one with students and professionals navigating important transitions — college and graduate admissions, career moves, and interviews.

I step in near the finish line, when ideas already exist and what’s needed is experienced judgment before submission or performance.

Specifically, I help you:

  • pressure-test your work against real evaluators,

  • sharpen structure, clarity, and positioning, and

  • make sure what you submit or say holds up under scrutiny.

I’m not here to change your story. I’m here to help you present it clearly and confidently to the people who matter.

How I work

“The Final Pass” reflects where I work in the process.

I come in at the last stretch where:

  • drafts are written but not quite there,

  • answers are solid but not sharp, or

  • resumes and essays need sharper judgment, not more words.

I don’t rely on templates or formulas. Every engagement is tailored to the situation and the evaluator. Sometimes that means deep restructuring; sometimes it means subtle refinement. The goal is always the same: work that feels intentional, credible, and ready to be evaluated.

Admissions committees and interviewers make the final call. My role is to help you step into that moment with clarity, confidence, and perspective.

A bit more personally

I’m also a parent to two young children, which has shaped how I think about focus and trade-offs. It’s reinforced my belief in doing fewer things well — with intention, care, and respect for people’s time.

That philosophy carries into my work: thoughtful collaboration, clear scope, and attention directed where it actually makes a difference.

If you’re approaching a moment that matters — on paper or in person — I’d be glad to help you prepare for it.

- Larissa