Meet Our Team
We are female-and minority-founded and led, college admission and educational path experts with over 200 years of collective experience across the globe.
Cogita, born from a collaboration between colleagues at Harvard University and Columbia University’s Teachers College, is proudly 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 in a global context.
With a globally informed and culturally responsive approach, we help students and families redefine “success,” advocating for a humanistic education, particularly crucial in the admissions process where identity is too often tied to brand names and prestige.
Our team has supported students across international educational systems and competitive admissions landscapes, from the U.S. and U.K. to Canada, China, Singapore, South Korea, India, and beyond. Our diverse student body spans the globe, including families from Saudi Arabia, Colombia, Japan, France, Malaysia, Brazil, Egypt, and more.
Marina Lee
Co-Founder and President
Master of Education, Harvard Graduate School of Education | Ex Officio of Independent Education Consultants Association (IECA) Global Standing Committee
Jill Schaffer
Director of Educational Counseling
Former Associate Director of Admissions, Cornell University | Founder and Former Director of Summer Program, Deerfield Academy | Bachelor and Master of Engineering in Computer Science, Cornell University
Kevin Ramos-Glew
Educational Advisor
Former Director of Enrollment Planning, Dartmouth College | Senior Leadership for Admissions, Dartmouth College | Director of Admissions at Independent Boarding Schools in MA & NH
David Hawkins
Educational and College Counselor (U.K.)
Former Head of College Counseling, International School of Brussels | Former Head of Careers, Tauton School
Dr. Andrea Brenner
College Transition Coach | Interview and Public Speaking Coach
Co-Author, (How to College: What to Know Before You Go and When You’re There) | Creator, Talking College™ card deck | Former Professor and University Administrator, American University
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
Elizabeth Van Gelder
Art & Art Portfolio Mentor
Taught high school art at Groton School for 39 years
Angelita Castanon
Educational Counselor | Boarding School Counselor | College Counselor
Former Dean of Students, Northfield Mount Hermon and Cranbrook Kingswood Upper School
Caitlin McGuire
Educational and College Counselor | ESL Specialist
Former Admission Officer, Cornell University | Former Admission Officer, University of South Carolina | Certified ESL Tutor
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. Stacy Robbins
Certified Career Coach
Assistant Professor, Saint Mary’s College of California | Doctor of Education, Columbia University’s Teachers College
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
Coming Soon: New Mentors
Educational & College Counselors
New admissions, academic, and creative experts will be joining our team to support you.
Marie Assir
Educational Counselor
Former Admissions, University of California,
International Admissions Reader for UCLA and UC Berkeley,
Julie Moloney
Educational and College Counselor
Former International Admissions Program Director, University of Notre Dame | Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree, University of Notre Dame
Nora Yasumura
SEL Specialist
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
Dr. Derek O'Leary
History & International Relations Mentor
Doctor of Philosophy in History, University of California, Berkeley, Amherst College
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
Coming Soon: New Mentors
Educational & College Counselors
New admissions, academic, and creative experts will be joining our team to support you.