Ian Kennedy
MBA admissions consultant and coach for founders and executives
| Hourly rate range | $70 to $145 an hour |
|---|---|
| Focus areas | MBA admissionsIvy League and top schoolsTransitions and new rolesCEO and founder coachingStartups and founders |
| Works with | Veterans, Founders and business owners and Executives |
| Also coaches | Executive coach and Business coach |
| Credentials | MBA, Stanford GSB; MS in Electrical Engineering, Stanford; Second undergraduate major in physics, Columbia; Undergraduate degree, Cornell |
Ian Kennedy is an MBA admissions consultant who also coaches startup founders and executives. He served in the Army Special Forces as a communications sergeant, then earned an MBA and an MS in electrical engineering at Stanford. He later worked in venture capital at Khosla Ventures, where he supported over $1B in new financings and a portfolio of over 60 startups. He now coaches full time and takes on a few comprehensive MBA clients each cycle.
What Ian helps with
Ian helps people apply to top MBA programs. He also works with founders and executives who are going through career and life transitions.
- Applying to MBA programs
- Building a target school list
- Applying to business school as a military veteran
- Guidance for early-stage startup founders
- Navigating career transitions as an executive
- Navigating life transitions as an executive
- Managing stress through meditation
Who Ian works with
Ian works mostly with founders at early-stage startups and executives going through career and life transitions. In MBA admissions, he takes military and veteran clients for comprehensive packages. He asks for rank, MOS, undergraduate school, GPA, test scores and target schools before an intro call.
How Ian works
Ian takes only a few comprehensive MBA clients each cycle. This lets him give each one in-depth attention. Before an intro call, he asks for the client's rank and MOS, undergraduate school and GPA, GRE or GMAT scores and target school list. He also uses meditation to help clients balance the nervous system and build self-awareness.
Background and qualifications
Ian graduated from Cornell during the financial crisis. He then joined the Army Special Forces, was assigned to 1st SFG and served as a communications sergeant. He deployed to Iraq and the Philippines and trained in South Korea and Thailand. He deferred his Stanford GSB admission to finish a second major in physics at Columbia. At Stanford he earned an MBA and an MS in electrical engineering. He interned at Rigetti Computing, Goldman Sachs, Bridgewater and Virtu Financial. He then worked at Khosla Ventures before becoming a full-time coach.
Ian Kennedy pricing
Programs and services
- Comprehensive MBA admissions package
- Intro call
- Startup founder coaching
- Executive coaching
- Career coaching
- Life coaching
Ian Kennedy reviews
Ian Kennedy has a 5.0 out of 5 rating from 47 reviews on Leland, as of September 2026.
The CoachVouch take
A former Army Special Forces communications sergeant and Khosla Ventures investor who now coaches MBA applicants, especially veterans.
Best for military and veteran MBA applicants who want in-depth attention on a full application.
Common questions
How much does Ian Kennedy charge?
Coaching with Ian runs $70 to $145 an hour. Message Ian from this page for an exact quote.
What does Ian Kennedy help with?
Ian Kennedy helps with applying to MBA programs, building a target school list, applying to business school as a military veteran and guidance for early-stage startup founders.
Does Ian Kennedy have reviews?
Ian Kennedy has a 5.0 out of 5 rating from 47 reviews on Leland, as of September 2026.
Is Ian Kennedy certified?
Ian Kennedy lists: MBA, Stanford GSB; MS in Electrical Engineering, Stanford; Second undergraduate major in physics, Columbia; Undergraduate degree, Cornell.
Does Ian Kennedy work with military and veteran MBA applicants?
Yes. He takes a few military and veteran clients each cycle for his comprehensive package. He asks for rank, MOS, school, GPA, test scores and target schools before an intro call.
What kinds of clients does Ian coach outside MBA admissions?
He works mainly with founders at early-stage startups. He also coaches executives who are going through life and career transitions.
How do I contact Ian Kennedy?
Send Ian a message from this page. It's free and takes a minute.
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Last updated September 2026. Request a correction.