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

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 | 18 years of experience in international education

Jill Schaffer

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  

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

Angelita Castanon

Angelita Castanon

Educational and Boarding School/College Counselor

Former Dean of Students, Northfield Mount Hermon and Cranbrook Kingswood Upper School

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 

Julie Moloney

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

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 

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

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

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