Meet the dream team of MBA admissions experts

Insider expertise. Tailored strategy. Proven results.
Our team’s collective insight gives you a decisive edge.

Coaches from the World’s Top Business Schools

K+

Applications Reviewed

Years of AdCom Experience

Five-Star Reviews on Poet&Quants

We are a dream team of former admissions directors and senior professionals from the world’s top business schools, and are the most experienced MBA admissions team in the business. We are consistently one of the two top admissions consulting firms in the world, according to Poets&Quants.

When you partner with Fortuna, thanks to our collaborative approach, you don’t just get a dedicated coach – you get the collective intelligence of our entire team.

Fortuna Founders

Judith Silverman Hodara

Former Head of MBA Admissions at Wharton

Matt Symonds

Global Education Expert | Columnist for Forbes & The Economist

Caroline Diarte Edwards

Former Director of Admissions at INSEAD

Fortuna Coaches

Heidi Hillis

Director

Stanford GSB Alum & Former MBA Admissions Interviewer

Karla Cohen

Director

MBA admissions experience from Harvard Business School, Stanford GSB, and INSEAD

Patty Keegan

Director

Former Associate Dean at Chicago Booth and Stanford GSB Admissions Committee member

Michel Belden

Director

Former Associate Director of Admissions at Wharton

Emma Bond

Director

Former Admissions Senior Manager at LBS & #1 Ranked Admissions Coach by Poets&Quants

DéJeune Antoine

Expert Coach

Harvard Law School & Harvard Business School Alum

Silpa Sarma

Senior Expert Coach

Former Stanford GSB Admissions Reader & Cornell Johnson MBA

Malvina Miller Complainville

Senior Expert Coach

Former Assistant Director of Career Services at HBS

Bill Kooser

Director

Former Associate Dean at Chicago Booth

Maren Savage

Senior Expert Coach

Former Admissions Reader at Stanford GSB & UC Berkeley Haas & Stanford GSB Alum

Taniel Chan

Expert Coach

Former HBS Admissions & Financial Aid Advisory Board Member

Melissa Jones

Senior Expert Coach

Former INSEAD Admissions Assistant Director & #1 Ranked Admissions Coach by Poets&Quants

Tatiana Nemo

Senior Expert Coach

Stanford GSB Alum & Former MBA Admissions Interviewer

Alterrell Mills

Expert Coach

Harvard Business School Alum

Catherine Tuttle

Expert Coach

Former Associate Director at Duke Fuqua

Rachel Erickson Hee

Senior Expert Coach

Stanford GSB Alum & Former MBA Admissions Interviewer

Cassandra Pittman

Senior Expert Coach

Former INSEAD & LBS Admissions & CBS MBA Alum

Bob Alig

Director

Former Director of MBA Admissions & Financial Aid at Wharton

Melissa Kate Joelson

Expert Coach

Former Director of Communications at INSEAD

Maya Howe

Expert Coach

Harvard Grad School Coach

Jonathan Masland

Director

Former Executive Director of Career Services at Tuck; Wharton-Lauder Alum

Peter Johnson

Director

Former Assistant Dean of the Full-time MBA Program at Berkeley Haas

Dylan Kahn

Expert Coach

Former HBS Admissions Team Member & Harvard Alum

Julie Ferguson

Senior Expert Coach

Former Senior Associate Director at Chicago Booth & Team Member at Wharton

Michael Malone

Director

Former Associate Dean at Columbia Business School

Rebecca Fogg

Expert Coach

Harvard Business School Alum & Yale Admissions Interviewer

Karen Ponte

Expert Coach

Former Senior Program Manager at London Business School

Jody Keating

Expert Coach

Former Career Coach at Wharton & Georgetown

Randall Sawyer

Director

Former Assistant Dean of Admissions at Cornell Johnson

Jayne Mulcahy

Expert Coach

Former MBA Admissions Team Member at Kellogg

Corey Hester

Expert Coach

Dartmouth Tuck & Harvard Law School Admissions Team Member

Emy Han

Expert Coach

Harvard Business School Alum

Trisha Nussbaum

Expert Coach

Tech Consultant, Former Google Talent Coach, & NYU Stern MBA Alum

Nicole Gehrmann

Expert Coach

Former Alumni Careers Director at Columbia Business School

Sharon Joyce

Senior Expert Coach

Former UC Berkeley Haas Admissions Director

Top-ranked Global MBA Admissions Consulting Firm

Read over 1,000 verified 5-star reviews on Poets&Quants

Read Reviews

Real Reviews From Real Clients

Candidates Love Working With Us

A Team of Experts Behind Every App
“What makes Fortuna Admissions truly exceptional is the extensive ecosystem of professionals and data they bring to the table.”

Cornell Johnson admit

Clarity, Calm, and Thoughtful Support
“Working with Heidi was a privilege. Her commitment and thoughtful support brought clarity and calm to a complex process – I couldn’t have done it without her.”

Stanford GSB Admit

Empathy + Exceptional Strategy = Double Admit
“Jenifer was incredible – empathetic, focused, and strategic. Her insights and steady support were essential to my success at both HBS and GSB.”

Harvard Business School, Stanford GSB Admit

Coaching Adapted to My Story
“Heidi adapted to my unique timeline and style. The personalized coaching and seamless team collaboration helped me secure an HBS admit.”

Harvard Business School Admit

A True Application Partner
“Rachel was amazing. Her warmth, encouragement, and deep understanding of the process made me feel like I had a real partner in my journey.”

Wharton Admit

Confidence, Polish, and My Dream School
“Heidi’s belief in me and expert coaching gave me the confidence and polish I needed. Her support made my HBS dream a reality.”

Harvard Business School Admit

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Fortuna’s team different from other MBA admissions consulting firms?

Our team is made up of former admissions directors and senior professionals from the world’s top business schools, including HBS, Stanford GSB, Wharton, Kellogg, INSEAD, and more. We bring insider insights, institutional knowledge, and a collaborative approach that’s unmatched in the industry.

How do you match clients with coaches?

We take into account your goals, background, target schools, and working style to match you with the coach who’s the best fit to support your success. If you have a specific coach in mind, we’ll do our best to accommodate your preference, depending on availability.

Can I work with more than one coach?

Yes. Many clients benefit from our team-based approach. With our All-Inclusive Application Package, you’ll be matched with both a primary coach and a senior advisor, offering you complementary perspectives on your candidacy and applications.

If you’re working with us on an hourly basis, you also have the option to divide your hours between more than one coach — although most clients choose to work primarily with one person. Behind the scenes, we collaborate closely as a team, so even if you’re working one-on-one, your coach can tap into the full Fortuna brain trust on your behalf when needed.

Have your coaches worked in admissions at the schools I’m applying to?

Very likely! Our bench includes former decision-makers from nearly every top MBA program. If you’re targeting a specific school, chances are we’ve been on the inside of that admissions committee.

Is it important to work with a coach who was in admissions at my target school?

Not necessarily. While we do have former gatekeepers from nearly every top school, what matters most is finding the right coach to support your unique background, goals, and working style. Our coaches have extensive experience coaching applicants to the full range of top MBA programs — and a strong track record of success across schools, not just where they worked previously.

We also collaborate closely behind the scenes, so your coach is constantly exchanging insights with others on the team. That means you benefit from deep institutional knowledge and a collective brain trust, no matter who you work with.

How does Fortuna stay up to date with what business schools are looking for?

Our team maintains strong connections across the business school community. Many of our coaches are former admissions professionals who remain active in the space and in touch with former colleagues. We regularly speak with schools to stay informed about policy updates, shifting priorities, and evolving application trends. This ongoing dialogue helps ensure that our advice is current, strategic, and aligned with what admissions committees are really looking for.

Do your coaches only work with MBA applicants?

No – we also support applicants targeting Executive MBA, Master’s in Finance (MiF), Master’s in Management (MiM), deferred enrollment programs, law school programs, and more.

What kind of results has your team helped clients achieve?

Each year, our clients are admitted to M7 schools and other top-tier global programs, at at least triple the average admissions rates,often with substantial scholarships.

What’s the best way to choose the right coach for me?

Start with a free consultation. We’ll talk through your goals and recommend the coach or package that makes the most sense based on your needs.

Where is your team based?

We’re a global team with coaches in North America, Europe and Asia. No matter your time zone, we’ll find a way to make it work.

How do you recruit your coaches?

We’re highly selective in building our team. Most of our coaches are former admissions professionals from top business schools like HBS, Stanford GSB, Wharton, INSEAD, and LBS. Many were directors or senior members of the admissions committee. Several of us worked together or knew each other when we worked at these institutions; often our recruits come through our extensive school networks. Every recruit is selected not just for their credentials and admissions insight, but also for their coaching skills, empathy, and commitment to our collaborative ethos. If you are interested in joining the Fortuna team, reach out to us at info@fortunaadmissions.com.

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Meet the dream team of MBA admissions experts

Fortuna Founders

Fortuna Coaches

Top-ranked Global MBA Admissions Consulting Firm

Candidates Love Working With Us

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Frequently Asked Questions