
Kathy Lai
Investment banking interview coach and former JPMorgan banker
| Hourly rate range | $75 to $150 an hour |
|---|---|
| Focus areas | Interview coachingConsulting and finance recruitingNew grads and studentsStartups and foundersFinance and profit |
| Works with | Students |
| Also coaches | Business coach |
| Credentials | MBA in Finance |
Kathy Lai is an investment banking coach who helps students prepare for banking interviews. She spent over ten years in banking at JPMorgan, Blackstone and Lincoln International, working on mergers and acquisitions, capital raises and restructuring. She later co-founded two companies and raised $40m in VC funding. She now works as a fractional CFO for start-ups. Her students have landed offers at Goldman Sachs, Jefferies and Morgan Stanley.
What Kathy helps with
Kathy helps students get ready for the investment banking recruiting process, including technical and behavioral interviews.
- Technical interview prep for investment banking
- Behavioral interview prep
- Financial modeling
- Mergers and acquisitions
- Valuation
- Breaking into banking without a finance background or target school
Who Kathy works with
Kathy works with students who want to break into investment banking. She helps those who have little accounting or finance course experience and those who do not attend target schools. She also works with clients who have investment banking backgrounds and need help with specific skills.
Background and qualifications
Kathy spent over ten years in investment banking at bulge bracket and middle market firms, including JPMorgan, Blackstone and Lincoln International. She started as an Analyst and rose to Director. Her work covered mergers and acquisitions, capital raises and restructuring. After banking, she co-founded two companies, including HerMD and the Sweatworking App, and raised $40m in VC funding. She now serves as a fractional CFO or consultant to start-ups. She holds an MBA in Finance and has led banking new hire training and campus interview seminars for 8 years.
Kathy Lai pricing
Programs and services
- IB Technical Interview Prep Boot Camp
- Custom hourly coaching sessions
Kathy Lai reviews
The CoachVouch take
She is a former investment banker who started as a liberal arts student with little finance training and now coaches others through the same path.
Best for students who want to land an investment banking offer without a finance background or a target school.
Common questions
How much does Kathy Lai charge?
Coaching with Kathy runs $75 to $150 an hour. Message Kathy from this page for an exact quote.
What does Kathy Lai help with?
Kathy Lai helps with technical interview prep for investment banking, behavioral interview prep, financial modeling and mergers and acquisitions.
Is Kathy Lai certified?
Kathy Lai lists: MBA in Finance.
Does Kathy Lai help students without a finance background?
Yes. She came into banking as a liberal arts student with almost no accounting or finance courses. She coaches students to master the interview process regardless of background.
How do I contact Kathy Lai?
Send Kathy a message from this page. It's free and takes a minute.
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Last updated September 2026. Request a correction.