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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Dr. Andrea Brenner

College Transition Coach | Interview and Public Speaking Coach

Dr. Stacy Robbins

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

Dr. Derek O'Leary

History & International Relations Mentor

 Doctor of Philosophy in History, University of California, Berkeley

Hilary Bonta

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

Mark Efinger

Interview and Public Speaking Coach

Former Department Chair of Theater and Dance, Philips Academy, Andover

 

Chris Rogerson

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

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

Elizabeth Van Gelder

Art & Art Portfolio Mentor

 Taught high school art at Groton School for 39 years