
Diane K
Career coach for PhDs pivoting into equity research and venture capital
| Hourly rate range | $90 to $185 an hour |
|---|---|
| Focus areas | |
| Works with | Professionals and Students |
| Credentials | Bachelor's degree, Columbia; PhD in Biomedical Engineering, UCLA |
Diane K is a career coach who helps people pivot into equity research, venture capital, and corporate strategy. She holds a PhD in Biomedical Engineering from UCLA and worked in equity research at Goldman Sachs. She later moved into corporate development at a venture-backed startup that raised over $650M. She coaches mid-career professionals, PhDs, and recent STEM grads. Her focus is turning technical expertise into a story that hiring managers understand.
What Diane helps with
Diane helps people move from technical or scientific work into investing and corporate roles. She works on the mindset shift and the language gap between research and business.
- Pivoting into equity research
- Breaking into venture capital
- Moving into corporate strategy roles
- Turning technical expertise into a clear career story
- Building a resume that stands out to industry insiders
- Navigating the recruiting process
- Moving from a PhD into industry
Who Diane works with
Diane works with clients at all stages. That includes mid-career professionals, PhDs, and recent STEM grads. They want to pivot into fields like equity research, venture capital, and corporate strategy. Many come from technical or scientific backgrounds and need help speaking the language of business.
Background and qualifications
Diane earned a Bachelor's degree from Columbia and a PhD in Biomedical Engineering from UCLA. She started her finance career in equity research at Goldman Sachs. She then moved into corporate development at a venture-backed startup with over $650M in funding. Her experience also includes a Venture Fellow role at Vida Ventures from 2019 to 2020, and a Senior Project Manager role in corporate development at Kriya Therapeutics. She has seen how investment teams and operators judge talent.
Diane K pricing
Diane K reviews
Diane K has a 5.0 out of 5 rating from 10 reviews on Leland, as of September 2026.
The CoachVouch take
Moved from a biomedical engineering PhD to Goldman Sachs equity research, so she knows the pivot she coaches firsthand.
Best for PhDs, STEM grads, and mid-career professionals who want to move into equity research, venture capital, or corporate strategy.
Common questions
How much does Diane K charge?
Coaching with Diane runs $90 to $185 an hour. Request an intro for an exact quote.
What does Diane K help with?
Diane K helps with pivoting into equity research, breaking into venture capital, moving into corporate strategy roles and turning technical expertise into a clear career story.
Does Diane K have reviews?
Diane K has a 5.0 out of 5 rating from 10 reviews on Leland, as of September 2026.
Is Diane K certified?
Diane K lists: Bachelor's degree, Columbia; PhD in Biomedical Engineering, UCLA.
Does Diane K coach PhDs moving into finance?
Yes. She holds a PhD in Biomedical Engineering and coaches PhDs and recent STEM grads who want to pivot into equity research, venture capital, and corporate strategy.
How do I contact Diane K?
Request an intro on this page. It's free, and we'll connect you with Diane and, if you want, 2 or 3 similar coaches to compare.
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Last updated September 2026. Request a correction.