From Insight to Strategy:
Crafting the Foundation for a Mentorship Platform Supporting International Students
Team: Brian Camilo, Max Ascolani, Shewta Ajay, Grace Wu
My role: Strategy & Research Lead
Overview:
I collaborated with an interdisciplinary IYA team to shape Mento from an early idea into a focused strategic concept aimed at improving the fragmented support international students receive in U.S. education systems.
Customer Profile & Opportunity:
I defined the key customer segments — universities, OIS departments, and education partners — and analyzed their needs and constraints to understand where Mento could create real value. This work helped us size the market, prioritize high-impact partners, and position Mento as a scalable institutional solution instead of a consumer app.
Strategic Modeling
We developed the business strategy behind Mento by analyzing market size, competitive positioning, and projected costs. This work grounded the concept in real numbers and demonstrated how the platform could scale sustainably over three years.
Outcome:
The final result was a grounded MVP concept and a cohesive pitch deck positioning Mento as a scalable, student-centered ecosystem for international student success. The strategic foundation we built sets the stage for future pilots and institutional partnerships.
What I Learned:
How early insight framing shapes product direction
Translating ambiguity into a clear, actionable problem
The importance of aligning cross-functional teams through story and structure