Meet Our Team
COGITA is founded by graduates from Harvard University and Teachers College Columbia University. It’s headquartered in MIT, Boston. The name “COGITA” originates from a Latin word “COGITO” which refers to “the principle establishing the existence of a being from the fact of its thinking or awareness”.
Marina Lee
Co-Founder and CEO
Master of Education, Harvard Graduate School of Education | Ex Officio of Independent Education Consultants Association (IECA) Global Standing Committee
Dr. Cindy Lin
Director of Organization and Product Development
Doctor of Education, Columbia University | Instructor, Columbia University’s Teachers College | 15 years of experience in international education
Jill Schaffer
Educational and Boarding School/College Counselor
Former Admission Officer, Cornell University | Founder and Former Director of Summer Program, Deerfield Academy | Bachelor and Master of Engineering in Computer Science, Cornell University
Nora Yasumura
Educational and Boarding School/College Counselor
Former Admission Officer and Former Assistant Dean, Dartmouth College | Former Class Dean, The Hotchkiss School | Collaborative Faculty, MGH Center for Cross-Cultural for Emotional Wellness
Wenny Lin
Educational and Boarding School/College Counselor
Master’s Degree in Human Development & Psychology, Harvard University | Bachelor’s Degree in Psychological Sciences, Colgate University
Kate Milani
College Counselor
Former Admission Officer, Stanford University | Former Admission Officer, George Washington University | Master of Education, Harvard Graduate School of Education
Caitlin McGuire
Educational and College Counselor | Spanish Tutor
Former Admission Officer, Cornell University | Former Admission Officer, University of South Carolina | Certified ESL Tutor
Tammy Alt
Educational and College Counselor
Application Reader, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill | Former Director of College Counseling, Greensboro Day School
David Hawkins
Educational and College Counselor (U.K.)
Former Head of College Counseling, International School of Brussels | Former Head of Careers, Tauton School
Selected Field Experts
Mollie Book
SEL Coach | Writing & Reading Coach
Master’s Degree in Reading Specialist Program, Columbia University’s Teachers College | English Teacher, Stephen Gaynor School | Trained by Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence’s RULER Program
Dr. Andrea Brenner
College Transition Coach | Interview and Public Speaking Coach
Co-Author, “How to College” | Creator, Talking College™ Card Deck | Creator & Former Director, American University Experience Program
Dr. Stacy Robbins
Certified Career Coach
Assistant Professor, Saint Mary’s College of California | Doctor of Education, Columbia University’s Teachers College
Dr. Derek O'Leary
History & International Relations Mentor
Doctor of Philosophy in History, University of California, Berkeley
Hilary Bonta
Writing Coach
Faculty, University of Pennsylvania’s English Language Program | Master’s Degree in TESOL, University of Pennsylvania | Over 25 years of experience in teaching English & professional communication skills
Mark Efinger
Interview and Public Speaking Coach
Former Department Chair of Theater and Dance, Philips Academy, Andover
Chris Rogerson
Music Mentor
Composer | Music Studies Faculty, Curtis Institute of Music | Studied at the Curtis Institute of Music, Yale School of Music, and Princeton University
Will Minter
Video and Music Production Mentor
Master’s Degree in East Asian Studies, Yale University | Bachelor’s Degree in Chinese Studies, University of Oxford
Elizabeth Van Gelder
Art & Art Portfolio Mentor
Taught high school art at Groton School for 39 years