Meet Our Team
We are female-and minority-founded and lead, college admission and educational path experts with over 200 years of collective experience.
Cogita, born from a collaboration between colleagues at Harvard University and Columbia University’s Teachers College, is based in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Our mission is to guide students not only into their desired and fit schools but also to foster a strong sense of self, excellence, and ethical engagement globally. We assist students and families in redefining “success,” advocating for a humanistic education approach, particularly crucial in the admissions process where identity is often tied to brand names and prestige.
Our diverse student body hails worldwide, including the U.S., Canada, South Korea, China, U.K., Singapore, India, Saudi Arabia, Colombia, Japan, France, Malaysia, and more.
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
Director of Counseling
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
Caitlin McGuire
Educational and College Counselor | Spanish Tutor
Former Admission Officer, Cornell University | Former Admission Officer, University of South Carolina | Certified ESL Tutor
David Hawkins
Educational and College Counselor (U.K.)
Former Head of College Counseling, International School of Brussels | Former Head of Careers, Tauton School
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