Erica Santoni

Helping people unlock their full potential is what I love most. I am an Executive Coach, partnering with leaders at all levels to uncover their potential and navigate pivotal career transitions, and an Instructor at Stanford Continuing Studies, where I teach and mentor students on leadership and career growth. I love leveraging this blend of coaching, career development, and teaching experience to help my Square One Prep clients articulate their unique stories with confidence and clarity.

I know firsthand how daunting the MBA application process can feel. “With so many great people applying to top MBA schools, why me?” - I used to repeat this to myself. With the help of my mentors and friends, I found the confidence to apply and was accepted into all three schools I applied to, receiving a full scholarship.

While at Harvard Business School, I served as the Co-President of the Women’s Student Association and as an Admission Ambassador, working with the Administration and the Admission team to promote a more diverse student body and MBA experience. I remain involved with the HBS alumni community, through alumnae circles, conferences, and local gatherings.

My professional experience spans management consulting (BCG), corporate strategy (Vodafone UK, General Electric), and human resources (Head of People Strategy & Analytics at ZipRecruiter). My MBA at HBS enabled me to pivot into the world of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, where I focused on creating more equitable workplaces in Tech (VMware, Catalyst, Intuit).

Before moving to the US for my MBA, I lived across Europe (UK, France, Italy), and studied at Bocconi University and HEC Paris. I now live in Mountain View, California, with my husband and our puppy. In my free time, I enjoy exploring the Bay Area’s hiking trails with friends, traveling to Europe to visit family, and staying involved with the local community through volunteering work.