Michel Belden

Director

Highlights & Achievements

Former Associate Director of Admissions at Wharton MBA Program
Former Recruiter at Bain & Company, Los Angeles Office
15+ Years of Experience in MBA Admissions and Corporate Talent Sourcing
BS in Sports Management and Marketing from The Wharton School

With a background that bridges elite MBA admissions and corporate recruiting, Michel Belden brings sharp insight and practical strategy to every Fortuna coaching engagement. As former Associate Director of Admissions for Wharton’s full-time MBA program, she evaluated thousands of applicants and understands what it takes to stand out in a highly selective pool.

Michel began her career at Bain & Company, where she spent six years as a recruiter and also led professional development for consulting staff. After serving as Associate Director of MBA Admissions at Wharton, she moved to Seattle, where she managed VIP relations for the Seattle SuperSonics. This unique combination of admissions and industry experience makes her an invaluable resource for candidates navigating the MBA journey.

Known for her no-nonsense guidance and calm, encouraging approach, Michel helps clients cut through the noise to clarify their goals and define their story. Whether clients are new to the MBA landscape or seeking to elevate an already-strong profile, she brings focus and perspective to unlock their full potential.

Michel lives in Los Angeles with her two teenagers and their sweet dog, Goose. When she’s not coaching applicants or baking her famous chocolate chip cookies, you’ll likely find her deep in fantasy football stats – yes, she’s a reigning league champion!

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Real Reviews From Real Clients

Candidates Love Working With Michel

Nothing Cookie-Cutter About It
“Michel never applied a cookie-cutter approach – every brainstorming session, essay draft, and mock interview was tailored specifically to me. A consummate professional.”

HBS admit

6 for 6 on Top Admits
“Admitted to all 6 schools I applied to – without a shred of doubt, it would not have been possible without Michel. 10/10.”

Stanford GSB admit

Powerful Story, Amazing Process
“Michel’s expert guidance helped me identify a clear and powerful application story. She’s thoughtful, diligent and just a joy to work with.”

Wharton admit

Shaped Story for My Dream School
“Michel dug deep into my motivations, helping shape my story and sharpen my positioning. With her expert guidance, I got into my dream school.”

HBS admit

Best Admissions Consultant Out There HBS Admit
“I got into all 3 schools I applied to – Wharton, MIT & HBS. Hands down the best admissions consultant out there.”

HBS admit

Q&A with Michel

What’s your favorite client success story?

One of my most interesting clients hailed from an industry with few college grads and even fewer MBAs. He had no network of b-school grads and no knowledge of the top programs and what they offered. He was starting from scratch, but he knew what he wanted. I enjoyed helping him craft his story and expand his list of target schools. With a lot of hard work, he was admitted to his top choice, a top 10 program he hadn’t considered before working with Fortuna.

What’s your top piece of advice for admissions candidates?

Applying to business school can be overwhelming, so make sure you give yourself time for a rigorous self-discovery process. Reflecting on what you’ve done during your career, and the people and events that have helped shape you is critical to application success. Taking the time to figure out who you are and what you enjoy most will help you articulate your story in your applications, and answer the questions: Why an MBA? And how an MBA will help you achieve your goals?

Want to work with Michel?

We always do our best to match you with a coach who fits your needs and preferences. You can also indicate your preference for a specific coach when you sign up for a free consultation.

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