Get to know the individuals who make it all possible. Explore their stories, expertise, and the unique qualities that make our team truly exceptional. Welcome to our world – where teamwork and dedication lead to extraordinary outcomes.
Kris Zhu
Director
Kris holds a Master’s in Civil Engineering from the University of California, Berkeley, and has amassed over 15 years of experience in guiding students in studying abroad and navigating international admissions.
As a Certified Senior Career Planner by the International Association for College Admission Counseling (IACAC), Kris has dedicated their career to helping students achieve their academic and career aspirations. With a deep understanding of global education systems and admissions processes, Kris provides strategic, personalized guidance, ensuring each student receives the support they need to succeed in their educational journey. Kris has helped students gain admission to the top boarding schools and colleges in the US, the UK, and Canada.
Read MoreAshmita Gupta
Director, US Operations
Ashmita has been a valued member of the Foundation family for over 9 years, dedicating her time to advising students on overseas boarding school and college admissions. The opportunity to teach and nurture young minds drives her work. She has extensive experience in building impactful programs, specializing in interview preparation and profile building. She works with a talented team to create engaging curriculum using creativity as a platform to build confidence and communication skills. Her warm and approachable smile is why everyone seeks her opinion and counts on her for great advice.
Ashmita has helped over 200 students to get into US, UK, Canadian and Swiss boarding schools and universities including Phillips Exeter Academy, Phillips Academy Andover, Choate Rosemary Hall, Groton School, St. Paul’s School, The Hotchkiss School, The Lawrenceville School, The Milton Academy, The Loomis Chaffee School, The Taft School, The Peddie School, Blair Academy, The Webb Schools, Upper Canada College, Appleby College, Bishop Strachan School, Oundle School, University of Pennsylvania, Brown University, University of Chicago, Dartmouth College, University of California, Berkeley, Duke University, London School of Economics and University of Toronto.
Read MoreZion Tam
Director, K-12 Education / Boarding School Admissions
Zion has been a valued member of the Foundation family for over 11 years. He finds watching students grow the most rewarding part of his job. He works tirelessly to match each unique student with the best school and advocates for them throughout the admissions process.
Born and raised in Hong Kong, Zion pursued his studies in Sydney, Australia attended Macquarie University in Sydney, studying French. After graduation, he pursued further cultural and language exchange at the University of Lausanne in Switzerland.
This is his eleventh year at the Foundation. Having stepped foot in more than 150 schools, he has helped hundreds of students find the best fit for gaining entry to reputable schools in the U.K., Switzerland, the U.S., and locally in Hong Kong.
Zion’s students have been successfully placed in well-known institutions such as Phillips Andover Academy, Philips Exeter Academy, Choate Rosemary Hall, Deerfield Academy, The Hotchkiss School, The Lawrenceville School, Groton School, Milton Academy, Concord Academy, Middlesex School, The Taft School, Peddie School, Cate School, St. Mark’s School, Loomis Chaffee School, Blair Academy, Fay School, Eaglebrook Schook, Indian Mountain School, Rumsey Hall School, Eton College, Harrow School, Tonbridge School, Winchester College, Benenden School, Downe House School, Dragon School, Horris Hill School, Upper Canada College, Appleby College, Institut Le Rosey, King’s Academy, and many more.
Read MoreIris Lau
Director, K-12 Education / Boarding School Admissions
Iris has over 10 years of experience working with students in primary and high school. She particularly enjoys helping younger students explore their interests by guiding them through individualized passion projects.
Iris bridges Eastern and Western education systems and unreservedly shares her study abroad experiences to help families understand these differences and effectively guide students. Iris was born in Australia but relocated to Hong Kong for 14 years, where she attended Maryknoll Convent School, a local girls’ school in HK. She then returned to Australia and attended Pymble Ladies’ College, a top girls’ boarding school in Sydney. She obtained her Bachelor of Commerce (Distinction) Degree from the University of New South Wales with a double major in Finance and Financial Economics. From her previous educational experience, Iris understands the differences between the Eastern and Western cultures and education systems. She enjoys sharing her experience of studying abroad with families and students to help them fully understand the gap between the two.
Iris has visited over 80 boarding schools in US, UK, Switzerland and Canada. Apart from leaving behind her footprints, she has successfully placed students in top boarding schools including. Phillips Exeter Academy, St. Paul’s School, Deerfield Academy, Choate Rosemary Hall, The Hotchkiss School, Groton School, The Lawrenceville School, Milton Academy, Middlesex School, The Taft School, Peddie School, The Webb Schools, Loomis Chaffee School, Cheltenham Ladies’ College, Downe House School, Rugby School, Dulwich College, Oundle School, Shrewsbury School, Badminton School, Aiglon College and College Alpin Beau Soleil.
Read MoreJiang Songyan (Hua)
Director, College Counseling
At the age of 14, Hua moved to Wisconsin, United States from China with her family. In her 13 years living in Wisconsin, Hua had completed her high school education and earned her bachelor’s degree in Communication Arts from the University of Wisconsin – Madison as well as her master’s degree in Human Resources Management.
After working in a research center for two years, Hua moved back to Beijing, China and began her career as an education consultant. She greatly enjoys the broad scope of working with students on developing personalized counseling plans and mentoring students on independent research and initiating community service projects.
In addition, she has been invited to judge multiple NSDA Beijing tournaments and led a group of high school students to the Harvard Debate Camp. These experiences have enriched her insights as an education practitioner. Hua’s students are alumni and current students in world-renowned universities, including Yale University, Princeton University, Harvard University, MIT, Johns Hopkins University, Columbia University, Cornell University, Brown University, Emory University, University of California—Berkeley, etc.
Read MoreEmily Song
Director, Sales and Marketing
Raised in Shanghai, Emily started her career in educational consulting right after she graduated from college. With 10 years of working experience in education, she has established a high standard of work to achieve excellence. She has won the golden award for education consultants from the Ministry of Education Study Abroad Service Center.
Emily has been dedicated to international education for the past 18 years. She has been awarded the title “Gold Medal Study Abroad Consultant” by the American Department of the Chinese Service Center for Scholarly Exchange of the Ministry of Education. She has conducted in-depth research on applications to American universities, developed a comprehensive study-abroad strategy, and has been interviewed by several media outlets, including Southern Metropolis Weekly Education Channel, Eastday.com, and Tencent. She has also been invited twice to serve as a judge for Sohu’s elite study abroad service team selection activities.
Emily has helped hundreds of students with application consulting and planning services, with over 100 admitted to top universities, including the University of Chicago, Cornell University, Columbia University, Northwestern University, Middlebury College, and the University of California, Los Angeles. Additionally, she has guided students to gain admission to prestigious overseas boarding schools, including Blair Academy, Cranbrook Schools, Emma Willard School, Culver Academies, Tabor Academy
Read MoreGeoffrey Kyi
Associate Director, Curriculum Planning and Training / College Admissions (Hong Kong)
Geoffrey believes in the transformative power of individualized mentorship and prioritizes process goals to drive outcomes, fostering meaningful growth in students’ lives.
Geoffrey was born and raised in Los Angeles, California. After graduating from Brown University with a degree in Psychology, he served for two years as Teaching Fellow with Teach For China in Guangdong, helping further the organisation’s vision of increasing access to quality education for every child, regardless of place of birth or family circumstance.
Post fellowship, Geoffrey has committed 10+ years to facilitating academic and personal growth in admissions consulting, personally partnering with over 100 families across Greater China and the Asia Pacific region as a whole. He abides by the principles that individualized mentorship transforms student lives and that process goals ultimately drive outcome goals.
Geoffrey’s students have earned admission to institutions, including Columbia University, University of Pennsylvania, Brown University, Cornell University, University of Chicago, Carnegie Mellon University, University of California, Berkeley, Boston College, Claremont McKenna College, the Cooper Union, Duke University, Emory University, Georgetown University, UCLA, Northwestern University, New York University, University of Southern California and Pomona College.
Carol Wang
Associate Director, College Counseling (Shanghai)
Carol is a UC Berkeley-certified educational counselor. She got her Master’s degree in Education from Ohio State University and then began to work in the college counseling field in the U.S.
In the past 6 years, Carol worked as an educational counselor in both a private company in San Francisco Bay Area and a public high school in California. Carol believes every student is unique and thus she makes the most suitable recommendation to students based on their learning habits and personalities.
So far, Carol has helped more than 100 students (from both local U.S. and international students in China) get into the Top 30 universities including Stanford University, University of Pennsylvania, Yale University, Brown University, Columbia University, Cornell University, UC Berkeley, etc. Carol concluded that the college application process is not only about being accepted – more importantly, it’s about long-term thriving at the college level and beyond.
Wilson Zhong
Associate Director, College Counseling (Shenzhen)
Wilson studied English Translation at Guangdong University of Foreign Studies for his Bachelor’s degree. He also obtained a Master of Science degree from the University of the West of England in the UK, with a major in Business Management.
While studying in the UK, Wilson spent most of his after-school time volunteering in the community and teaching Math and English. After graduation, he started his career as an Education Counselor in Shanghai.
Wilson has years of experience in college counseling. He has helped students get into prestigious universities such as the University of Chicago, Cornell University, University of Southern California, UC Los Angeles, UC Berkeley, Carnegie Mellon University, University of Michigan Ann Arbor, New York University, College of William and Mary, Boston University, University of Cambridge, University of Oxford, Imperial College London, University of Hong Kong, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Nanyang Technological University, University of Toronto, and many more.
Wilson believes it is always significant for students to find their best-fit schools and develop skills that can benefit them while studying in college and for their future careers during the application process.
In his spare time, Wilson enjoys watching soccer games and singing. He is the Tenor of an A Cappella group in Shenzhen.
Margaret Wang
Associate Director, Boarding School Admissions (Beijing)
Margaret grew up in Beijing and earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Applied Linguistics from the University of California, Los Angeles. Margaret has worked in the overseas education industry in both the US and China, providing counseling services and conducting tailor-made education counseling plans for students and families from different backgrounds.
In the past years, Margaret helped many students apply to top US and UK boarding schools, including St.Paul’s School, Deerfield Academy, The Hotchkiss School, The Thacher School, The Governor’s Academy, St. Andrew’s School, DE, Northfield Mount Hermon School, Episcopal High School, Mercersburg Academy, The Hockaday School, Downe House School, Sherborne School, Shrewsbury School and Uppingham School. Margaret is passionate about finding the educational fit for different students. She enjoys reading and travels during off days, always keen on learning new cultures.
Yanni Xu
Associate Director, Boarding School Admissions (Shenzhen)
Yanni understands the differences between various education systems and is adept at identifying and analyzing the match between schools and students, meeting the needs of both parents and students effectively.
Yanni graduated from Huddersfield University (UK) with a Master of Science in Business.With more than 13 years of experience in the study abroad industry, Yanni assisted over 200 students in applying to secondary schools in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, and other countries. Yanni has acquired a deep understanding in the differences of educational methods and systems among major study-abroad destinations. Yanni understands the needs of parents and students and accurately analyzes and matches schools with students.
She visited numerous boarding middle and high schools in the United States. She established close and friendly relationships with admissions officers and successfully assisted students in gaining admission to top high schools such as: Phillips Exeter Academy, Phillips Academy Andover, St.Paul’s School, The Hotchkiss School, Milton Academy, The Loomis Chaffee School, The Taft School, Peddie School, St.Andrew’s School, DE, The Webb Schools, The Hockaday School, Emma Willard School, Northfield Mount Hermon School, The Hill School, Mercersburg Academy, The Governor’s Academy, Cranbrook Schools, Western Reserve Academy, The Cambridge School of Weston, Fay School, Eaglebrook School, Rumsey Hall School, Cheltenham Ladies College, Benenden School, Upper Canada College, St. George’s School, Appleby College, Aiglon College, Institut Le Rosey, and many more.
Alan He
Education Counselor / College Admissions (Beijing)
Alan holds a BA in English and American Literature from New York University, specializing in Creative Writing and minoring in Computer Science. He also earned an MA in English and Comparative Literature from Columbia University.
Alan is experienced in Literary Analysis, Humanities Research, and various forms of writing, including Creative, Journalistic, and Academic Writing. He possesses an in-depth understanding of U.S. culture, university models, and educational differences between the U.S. and China. Passionate about education, Alan is dedicated to helping students gain entries to their dream schools.
Arielle Jiang
Education Counselor / College Admissions (Shenzhen)
Before studying at a US high school, Arielle studied in both China and Singapore. She graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Piano Performance from Furman Liberal Arts College and a Master’s degree in Arts in Education from Harvard University, focusing on socially engaged art.
She is a member of the arts organization Barefoot Artists, transforming communities through public art projects and workshop programs. She excels at discovering the bright spots and inner voices of students through storytelling. When working with students, she helps them find their strengths and directions for effort from three dimensions: exploring values, personal stories, and actions, and putting them into practice. She is a lifelong learner in the interdisciplinary humanities field and has designed interdisciplinary curriculum frameworks for innovative schools.
She has guided students into: University of Michigan, New York University, Indiana University, Oberlin College, Eastman School of Music, Berklee College of Music, Indiana University Bloomington, Boston University, Royal College of Music, Royal Academy of Music, Manhattan School of Music, Guildhall School of Music
Caroline Gu
Education Counselor / College Admissions
Armed with a master’s degree in Linguistics from a domestic university, Caroline specialized in Neurolinguistics, Statistics, and Cross-cultural Communication during her academic career. The rigorous training in experimental design provided her with a unique perspective on handling study abroad consulting, enabling her to deeply understand the needs and expectations of students and laying a solid foundation for her career in international education.
Previously, she served as an assistant teacher at an international school, gaining valuable experience working with students from diverse backgrounds and personalities. This experience allowed her to gain a profound understanding of their academic needs and challenges, assisting them in successfully completing their international coursework.
During her tenure as an assistant teacher, Caroline managed a group of students who successfully gained admission to world-renowned institutions such as the University of Toronto, the University of Washington, the University of California, Irvine, the University of California, Davis, the University of California, Santa Barbara, New York University, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Boston University, Northeastern University, and Mount Holyoke College, among others.
Charlotte Cripps
Educational Counselor / Interview & Writing Coach
Graduated with first-class honors in Linguistics and Education from the prestigious Coventry University in the UK. With over 9 years of experience in the education sector, Charlotte has served in Coventry University’s International Admissions Office, guiding students in personal statements and providing admissions advice, bringing extensive expertise in applications to overseas schools.
She has taught English, Latin, French, German, and Spanish for many years, fully understanding the challenges students face in language learning.
Passionate about helping students find suitable educational paths, Charlotte has successfully guided students into top institutions in the UK and US, including: The University of Birmingham, Aston University, The University of Warwick, University College London, Phillips Academy Andover, Choate Rosemary Hall, The Hotchkiss School, Blair Academy, Kent School, Westminster School, Mercersburg Academy, St. Andrew’s School, The Governor’s Academy, St Paul’s Girls School, Cheltenham Ladies College, Downe House, Benenden School, Rugby School, Oundle School, Shrewsbury School, Oxford High School, Fettes College, Roedean School, Cheltenham College, Woldingham School, Kings School Canterbury, Christs Hospital, Ratcliffe College, Loughborough Grammar School.
Elena Li
Education Counselor / College Admissions
Elena graduated from the University of British Columbia, Canada, with a Bachelor of Science degree; Engaged in the study abroad consulting industry for over 8 years, passionate about international education and public welfare, adept at collecting and summarizing information, skilled in communicating and guiding students to discover their characteristics and strengths.
Elena has served as a counselor in educational institutions, as well as in an international school. She possesses a profound deep understanding of the AP/A-Level/IB curriculum systems and extensive experience guiding college applications.
Elena has successfully guided students to admission at schools including: Cornell University, University of California – Berkeley, University of Southern California, Emory University, Carnegie Mellon University, Colby College, Imperial College London, University College London, University of Toronto, McGill University, and many more.
Flora Li
Education Counselor / Boarding School Admissions
Flora relocated to New Zealand for high school and pursued a Bachelor of Banking and Finance in Economics and Business Law, followed by a Master of Education specializing in student wellbeing and Maths education at the University of Melbourne.
After receiving a high school education in New Zealand, obtained dual degrees in Banking and Financial Economics, and Commercial Law from The University of Melbourne, as well as a Master’s degree in Education. An expert in adolescent emotional management enhances students’ mental health and educational well-being through various effective stress management methods. With 8 years of experience working and living overseas, possesses a comprehensive understanding of the characteristics of different educational systems, the psychological transition of students entering different educational systems, and the challenges they and their families may face.
Previously taught Economics at two Australian high schools and provided training for international students taking the Australian Independent Schools Entrance Examination (AEAS). Skilled in guiding students from diverse backgrounds to explore personal strengths, overcome weaknesses with detailed plans, and achieve educational goals while surpassing themselves. Guides students to enter top schools such as The Webb Schools, Cranbrook Schools, Ethel Walker School, and Santa Catalina School, among others.
Ivy Deng
Education Counselor / Writing Coach, Boston
Ivy Deng joined Foundation in 2023, added on to her four years of extensive vast experience in college consulting and higher education teaching. She earned her B.A. and B.F.A. from Cornell University and is currently pursuing her Ph.D. at Harvard University, where she has also taught courses in the humanities and social sciences.
In teaching, she taught writing courses at Harvard University, excelling in personalized education tailored to each student. She focuses on enhancing students’ core language skills to achieve efficient and effective learning. She employs different teaching methods for students of varying grades, with a solid teaching foundation.
She is experienced in teaching SAT, PSAT, SSAT, and GRE, adept at helping students find relevant information and correct answers in complex exams through direct and objective techniques. She quickly helps students achieve high scores and is highly praised by families.
Throughout her academic career, Ivy has studied in Paris and Morocco and traveled extensively across Europe and South America. Her multilingual abilities and cross-cultural competencies allow her to connect with students from various cultural and linguistic backgrounds effectively. As a native speaker of Mandarin, Cantonese, and English, and with additional proficiency in French, Arabic, and German, she is well-equipped to support students from a wide range of backgrounds.
Jeff Zhao
Education Counselor, Boston
Jeff graduated from an international school in Mainland China and pursued higher education in the United States, where he gained six years of invaluable experience living and studying abroad. He holds a Master of Arts in International Educational Development from Teachers College, Columbia University, and a Bachelor of Arts in Human Development and Family Science from the University of Connecticut.
Jeff has an extensive understanding of the application process and the unique mindset of international students. This insight is further enriched by his visits to over twenty boarding schools, allowing him to appreciate the diverse environments and educational approaches these institutions offer.
Jeff has been passionate about working with students of all ages. He has organized numerous events for students who stayed over school breaks, ensuring they had a supportive and engaging environment during those times.
Justin Wang
Education Counselor / Boarding School Admissions
At the age of 16, Justin went to the United States to study in high school. He holds a Master’s degree in Marketing from Johns Hopkins University, with over 10 years of study, work, and living experience in the United States.
Formerly worked as a consultant at PricewaterhouseCoopers in the United States, he was providing comprehensive consulting services to multiple enterprises. Justin volunteered in several countries including Kenya and the United States, helping children in impoverished areas by building school buildings, teaching cultural and sports classes, and purchasing learning materials.
Justin is very familiar with the American private high school education system and boarding system; formerly served as a dormitory manager, overseeing student life and study. Passionate about various sports, previously selected for the high school basketball, tennis, and soccer teams; won the County championship with the soccer team. Passionate about education and children, willing to accompany children in their growth.
Kevin Ma
Senior Education Counselor / College Admissions and Boarding School Admissions
Kevin was born and raised in New York City, attending the prestigious boarding school Milton Academy, where he received the Outstanding Leader Award. He pursued Economics, East Asian Studies, and Education at Bowdoin College, a top liberal arts institution, and is currently an alumni interviewer for Bowdoin. He furthered his studies with a Master’s degree in Chinese Language and Culture from Fudan University.
As a bilingual professional with a blend of Western and Eastern perspectives, Kevin has developed strong critical thinking, writing, and speaking skills, which he applies in his daily work, including essay writing and interview training.
With over seven years in education consulting, he has successfully helped students gain admission to top global universities such as MIT, University of Pennsylvania, Dartmouth College, University of Chicago, Cornell University, Columbia University, Northwestern University, Johns Hopkins University, University of Cambridge, and others.
He has also guided students into leading American boarding schools such as Phillips Academy Andover, Phillips Exeter Academy, The Hotchkiss School, Choate Rosemary Hall, The Lawrenceville School, Peddie School, and Blair Academy.
Lucien Sun
Education Counselor / Interview & Writing Coach
Started studying and living in the United States in 6th grade, and over the next 7 years, traveled extensively across the country, gaining a deep understanding of American culture and honing academic skills.
Upon returning to China, worked in translation for 2 years, delving into challenging areas such as copyright and law, and developing extremely professional writing skills. Engaged in overseas study application consulting for 3 years, helping students successfully apply to numerous top overseas universities.
Particularly skilled at identifying each student’s strengths, adept at customizing and guiding document modifications based on student characteristics. Also accumulated comprehensive interview techniques and strategies.
Optimistic, positive, kind-hearted, and loving, volunteers in guiding children from low-income families in English learning to enhance spoken English skills in spare time. Has a keen insight into details, is passionate about education, and approaches every project with confidence and a drive for success.
Manka Wong
Education Counselor / Boarding School Admissions
Manka graduated with a bachelor’s degree from New York University and a master’s degree from Johns Hopkins University in Economics. With a rich and diverse educational background, Manka has grown into an outstanding young individual blending Eastern and Western cultures.
Manka attended international schools in Hong Kong and Shanghai from a young age, and studied abroad at a tender age of 13 in the United States. During her undergraduate years in the U.S., Manka also participated in a study program in London, UK. She had accumulated over 10 years of experience living abroad.
Passionate about education and with a strong sense of empathy, Manka spent 5 years as an assistant teacher providing “psychological counseling” at a special school. They organized various online and offline activities aimed at helping autistic children integrate into social life. Throughout their study abroad experience, Manka worked as an assistant consultant at several major training institutions, helping students improve the quality of their application essays, create course plans, manage their academic performance, and gaining extensive experience in communicating with students’ families.
Olivia He
Education Counselor / Boarding School Admissions
Graduated from a liberal arts college in the United States, with an interdisciplinary background in Environmental Science, Communication, and Social Justice, she has grown into an outstanding woman with diverse perspectives and global awareness.
She has a wide range of research interests, such as ecofeminism, political economy, and environmental and Montessori education. She has extensive work experience in the American healthcare industry, political campaigns, and environmental non-profit organizations.
In her spare time, she is also a dancer and stand-up comedian. Since 2017, she has worked collaboratively with over 100 students from K-12 to graduate level, providing educational planning, writing, and speaking training. Her strengths include guiding students to think critically, kindly, and creatively, and helping them refine academic and personal essays in terms of topic, language, and depth of thoughts.
She has helped students gain undergraduate admission to many top 30 universities in the United States, including Columbia University, the University of Chicago, Duke University, UC Berkeley, and UC Los Angeles.
Olivia Zhou
Senior Education Counselor / Interview & Writing Coach
Olivia has more than 7 years of experience in international education. She is an academic advisor for the Faculty of Science at The University of British Columbia.
Born in Shanghai and raised in Vancouver, she graduated from Simon Fraser University with a Bachelor of Arts in Linguistics, minored in Curriculum and Instruction, and obtained certification in Language Sciences and TESL Linguistics from the same university.
She advanced her studies abroad at Korea University and worked at TaLK (Teaching and Learning in Korea) during that time. After graduation, she taught ESL and IELTS preparation courses in Vancouver, then moved to Shanghai to work as a senior education consultant.
She is passionate about education and encourages students of all ages, helping many outstanding students get into their dream schools, such as Middlesex School, The Lawrenceville School, Choate Rosemary Hall, Blair Academy, St. Andrew’s, Cranbrook, Brooks School, Westminster School, Northfield Mount Hermon, Mercersburg Academy, Eaglebrook School, Fay School, Indian Mountain School, The Bement School, and many more.
Oscar Vela
Senior Education Counselor / Interview & Writing Coach
Oscar graduated from Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business with a Master’s degree in Management. He completed his undergraduate studies with dual degrees in International Relations and Geography, and a minor in French, at Florida International University.
While at FIU, Oscar worked as a Peer Educator and studied abroad in France. He then worked in business development with Oracle at their headquarters in the San Francisco Bay Area. After studying abroad in China at Duke University, Oscar developed a deep appreciation for Chinese culture and aspired to return in a professional capacity.
Oscar is passionate about international education and is particularly skilled in guiding students through essay writing, adopting a teaching style that encourages comprehensive and profound self-analysis during the process. He has successfully guided students to gain admissions to top American high schools and universities, including Deerfield Academy, The Hotchkiss School, Milton Academy, Hamilton College, the University of Chicago, Yale University, and others.
Priscilla Ang
Education Counselor / Boarding School Admissions
Priscilla graduated from the University of Bedfordshire in the UK and holds a Cambridge English teaching qualification certificate.
Priscilla began her teaching career at a bilingual kindergarten in Shanghai and later served as the Deputy Director of a language institute in Vietnam. She then returned to Singapore to teach English at a Canadian international school.
She is skilled in identifying students’ potential strengths in various aspects and has helped students from around the world improve their English and academic abilities. She has a deep understanding of the challenges students face in their studies and has extensive experience in tutoring students, using effective teaching methods to lead them to active learning.
She has guided students into prestigious schools such as Phillips Exeter Academy, Phillips Academy Andover, St. Paul’s School, Milton Academy, Deerfield Academy, Emma, Willard School, Miss Porter’s School, The Madeira School, Appleby College, Fay School
Rayna Zhang
Education Counselor / College Admissions
Rayna graduated from Durham University (UK) with a Master’s degree in Business Management and was awarded for her outstanding thesis and excellence as a graduate. She has over six years of experience in guiding students to enter American universities and has previously worked as a college counselor at a renowned international school in Shanghai.
Rayna has established direct connections with admissions officers from over 200 top universities worldwide. She excels at understanding students’ characteristics and backgrounds, uncovering their unique traits and strengths, and using her exceptional writing skills to assist with essay writing. Rayna specializes in creating detailed plans tailored to each student’s personality and goals, helping them find the most suitable university.
Rayna is well-versed in various high school curricula and university admission requirements, providing application planning for students from different educational backgrounds, including domestic high schools, IB/AP/ALEVEL international schools, and overseas high schools.
She has successfully helped students gain admission to top universities such as the University of Chicago, Dartmouth College, Cornell University, Columbia University, the University of California, Berkeley, the University of California, Los Angeles, New York University, the University of Virginia, Tufts University, Northwestern University in Qatar, and Wake Forest University.
Sara Liu
Senior Education Counselor / Boarding School Admissions
Graduated from Liaoning University with a major in English, she holds the TEM-8 (Test for English Majors) and the third-level certificate for translation. Passionate about the education industry, her friendly, humorous, sincere, and pragmatic personality enables her to establish excellent communication with students and families.
With nine years of experience in the study abroad education industry, she has served as a consultant for applications to US boarding schools as well as universities in the US, UK, Hong Kong, and Macau. She is familiar with the application processes for US middle and high schools to universities and excels at identifying and enhancing the highlights of application essays for universities in the US, UK, and Asia.
She has helped many students apply to top overseas boarding schools, including: Eaglebrook School, Rumsey Hall School, The Rectory School, The Hotchkiss School, Milton Academy, Concord Academy, St. Andrew’s School DE, Northfield Mount Hermon School, Kent School, Episcopal High School, The Webb Schools, St. Mark’s School, Berkshire School, The Governor’s Academy, and more. Sara is also familiar with international schools in Singapore, with successful applications to UWC, NLCS, CIS, OFS, and others.
Sheryl Chen
Senior Education Counselor / College Admissions
Sheryl graduated from Columbia University with a Master’s degree in Bilingual Education. She completed her undergraduate studies at the History School of Renmin University of China and participated in an exchange program at Yale University. Sheryl has worked as a consultant at well-known education advisory firms both domestically and internationally, gaining extensive experience in international education consulting and guidance. She has developed and taught English writing, TOEFL, and SAT courses, among others, in public and private international schools, and online teaching platforms. She has accumulated over 2000 hours of student guidance.
Sheryl has inspired and guided students to gain admission to top universities such as The University of Chicago, Johns Hopkins University, Carnegie Mellon University, UC Berkeley, New York University, Boston University, Middlebury College, University of Richmond, Wesleyan University, Emerson College, and others
Shirley She
Education Counselor / College Admissions
Shirley obtained Bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Macau, Master of Business Administration from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI).
Returned to China in 2013, with 11 years of experience in international education, she guided over a thousand students and accumulated rich experience in study planning and application.
Shirley specializes in observing student strengths, unlocking potential, and designing long-term personalized growth plans. She ncourages and helps students to break through themselves, deepen self-awareness, and face challenges with a better mindset.
She has guided students to admission at the University of Chicago, University of Pennsylvania, Cornell University, Washington University in St. Louis, Emory University, Carnegie Mellon University, University of California, Berkeley, UCLA, and New York University, among others.
Sylvia Zhang
Education Counselor / Boarding School Admissions
Sylvia graduated from the University of Florida with a Master’s degree in Bilingual Education Possesses extensive international teaching experience, including internships at the International Department of Public Schools and the International Cultural Institute at a Teachers’ College, where she taught Chinese to international students from around the world.
During her stay in the United States, she actively participated in English teaching programs at the Children’s Development Research Center at the University of Florida, American public elementary schools, and in Costa Rica, gaining rich practical experience.
Since obtaining her master’s degree, she has been deeply involved in the field of international education, serving as a bilingual mentor and college admissions consultant at renowned bilingual schools in Chongqing and Shenzhen, achieving fruitful results in improving students’ English proficiency, conducting inquiry-based learning, and extracurricular activities.
She has developed a comprehensive methodology in the field of intercultural communication, particularly skilled in heuristic teaching, always maintaining a results-oriented approach, aiming to help students clarify their goals and achieve them.
Vila Lan
Education Counselor / Interview & Writing Coach
Vila holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting and International Business from Pennsylvania State University and a Master’s Degree in Accounting from PSU’s Smeal College of Business.
As a visiting scholar in the International Business Program in Germany, Vila gained invaluable experience in global business practices. She also attended interparliamentary conferences at the European Parliament, further expanding her understanding of international relations.
With extensive experience in academic and intercultural communication, Vila has successfully collaborated with professors, scholars, and students from diverse cultural backgrounds. Her role as the Smeal Global Representative allowed her to support students in navigating various international business programs.
Vila possesses unique insights into world cultures and their impact on education. She has successfully guided numerous students into prestigious boarding schools in the US, Canada, and Singapore.
Her approach focuses on uncovering each student’s hidden potential and providing a detailed profile of their interests and passions, helping them to achieve their educational goals.
William Grundy
Senior Writing Coach
William graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a Bachelor’s degree in History and Sociology of Science, and from the University of Cambridge with a First-Class Bachelor’s degree in Philosophy, as well as Master’s, M.Phil., and Ph.D. degrees. He has taught philosophy, political theory, and intellectual history at various universities in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Mexico.
William has published numerous academic articles in various international peer-reviewed journals. He has provided critical thinking and writing instruction, as well as tutoring in the humanities and social sciences, to over 200 students. He has successfully supported many students in their applications to elite boarding schools and universities. His tutoring methods are inspired by the one-on-one supervision model at Cambridge University, and many of his students have been admitted to prestigious institutions such as Phillips Academy Andover, The Taft School, Princeton University, Cornell University, and Emory University.
Cynthia Sun
Senior Education Counselor (Beijing)
Cynthia attended an elite private girls’ high school in New Zealand and earned her Bachelor’s degree in Finance and Human Resource Management from Victoria University of Wellington.
After graduating, Cynthia returned to Beijing and worked as a Student Counselor at two major international schools over a span of 6 years. She has successfully guided many students in finding universities that best fit them. During summer breaks, she takes her students to North America for campus visits, allowing them to speak directly with admission officers, which benefits their applications.
With 15 years of experience in international education, Cynthia has served as a college admissions advisor at two large international schools. She has helped over a hundred students plan their applications to overseas high schools and universities, many of whom have been accepted to top institutions such as Columbia University, Cornell University, University of California, Los Angeles , University of California, San Diego, New York University, University of British Columbia, University of Toronto, University of Waterloo, The Loomis Chaffee School, Peddie School, Episcopal High School, The Hotchkiss School, St. Paul’s School, Deerfield Academy, Cheltenham Ladies’ College, Dulwich College
June Cao
Senior Education Counselor (Singapore)
June graduated from the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology in Australia with a degree in Business Management. She has vast interests in Engineering and Human Resource and obtained certifications in both areas. Before university, she was a boarding student at Chengdu Foreign Languages School in China.
For many years, June has been dedicated to career planning and training for young people. She has served as a student internship project mentor at the Nanyang Polytechnic Business School and as a career coach at a human resources consulting company, helping young people enhance their resumes and prepare for interviews.
As a mother of two, June is very familiar with the education systems of both China and Singapore. She knows the pathways for admission to both public and private schools and is passionate about helping students plan a diverse range of extracurricular activities.
Under her guidance, students have successfully been admitted to top schools in both the East and the West, including UWCSEA, St Paul’s School, Emma Williard, Miss Porters, Cranbrook Schools, Fay School and Eaglebrook School, and many more.
Karl J. Koenigsbauer
Senior Advisor and Strategist / Former Admission Officer at Eaglebrook School
Mr. Karl J. Koenigsbauer, fondly called Mr. K, is a well-known name in the US boarding school community. Mr. K dedicated 45 years of his life to serving the Eaglebrook School as an educator, Dormitory Advisor, Associate Director of Admissions, Director of Financial Aid, and, most notably, Dean of Secondary School Placement and Assistant Head of School.
Our association with Mr. K began in 2012 during the course of helping one of our students at Eaglebrook navigate the senior secondary school placement. Over the past decade, we have worked together closely to help various Eaglebrook students apply for senior boarding schools. Throughout the years, we have admired and looked up to Mr. K’s expertise in placing students at various senior boarding schools, his ability to holistically mentor students, and the high level of professionalism with which he advises students and parents.
We are honored to have Mr. K joining us in his latest capacity as an advisor at Foundation Global Education. We are thankful to him for giving us this opportunity to learn from his wealth of experience, his knowledge of schools, and his astute understanding of the boarding school application process.
With Mr. K on our team, together we are ready to serve our boarding school aspirants with an approach and perspective that are unparalleled in the consulting world.
Elizabeth Beal (Liz)
Senior Strategist / Former Admission Officer at Concord Academy
Liz has worked in college counseling and admissions for over fifteen years in both public and independent schools. She earned a BA in Psychology from Bucknell University and an M.Ed. from the Harvard Graduate School of Education.
Early in her career, she worked with two school-based programs that focused on helping students apply to college. Liz then served as Associate Director of Admissions and Coordinator of Multicultural Recruitment at Smith College before returning to ‘the other side of the desk’, where she founded and directed the college counseling program at Fenway High School. Liz has also worked as a college and financial aid advisor to youth groups in the greater Boston area.
Most recently, she was an Associate Director of Admissions at Concord Academy, where she helped students from all over the world find an educational home and supported a cohort of students as their advisor. Liz has also worked for years as an independent college counselor, and her clients have matriculated to such Yale, Cornell, MIT, and Northeastern, among others.
Courtney Minden
Senior Admissions Strategist / Former Admission Officer at Tufts University & Babson College
Courtney holds a Master of Education from Harvard University and has served in various high-level admissions roles, including Director of Admissions at MIT, Associate Director of Admissions at Tufts University, and Vice President of Admissions at Babson College.
With extensive experience at some of the top universities and liberal arts colleges in the US, she possesses unique insights into the admissions process and is adept at providing precise advice. Courtney specializes in integrating the essence of Western liberal arts education into applicants’ planning and development, ensuring a comprehensive approach to their educational journey.