When my oldest son started applying to college, I thought I was ready to guide him. I had multiple degrees, and I was working as an admissions reader for the Haas MBA program at UC Berkeley. Like many families, I saw how competitive and opaque the college admissions landscape had become. What I didn’t expect was how much my involvement added pressure.

My son was capable and motivated, but without role models, structure, or a roadmap, he didn’t know how to navigate the process in a way that worked for his unique situation. There’s a lot of generalized advice out there, but little that helps students connect their individual strengths and goals with the right college options. Hiring an independent college advisor gave him space to do that and a process to stay on track. It also gave me peace of mind. Watching his growth through that experience inspired me to pursue this work myself.

Today, I work with students and families as an Independent Educational Consultant, combining formal training with real-world understanding. I hold a Professional Certificate in College Admissions Counseling from UC Berkeley and have advised students from a range of academic settings, including Title I public high schools and private schools. I love working with teenagers in this stage of life, when they’re learning to define what really matters to them. Through conversations and questionnaires, I help students reflect on who they are, what they care about, and how to make informed decisions about their future. All this self-reflection also helps them write authentic, introspective essays that college admissions officers want to read. I also support parents in stepping back just enough to let that growth happen with confidence and pride.

Before becoming a college coach, I spent over a decade raising three kids and managing a busy household. My oldest son now studies aerospace engineering and economics at UCLA, and my daughter will attend UC Berkeley in 2026 as a metabolic biology & nutrition major and D1 athlete. Earlier in my career, I worked in international development and corporate strategy, with roles at the Federal Reserve, the World Bank, and Atlantic Media. I hold a BS in Civil & Environmental Engineering and a Master’s in Economics from Lehigh University, and an MBA from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. My professional experiences sharpened my research, writing, and project management skills, all of which I use in my advising work. Whether I’m helping a student shape an essay or guiding a family through college list strategy session, I bring structure, perspective, and understanding to every step.