Olga's passion for educational consulting began with her own journey as an international student, arriving in the United States on an academic scholarship in 1994. She earned both her undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of Michigan, an experience that reinforced her belief in the transformative power of higher education. Over the next three decades, she built a successful international development career, working with the United Nations, the World Bank, governments, and nonprofit organizations around the world.

Throughout her career, Olga mentored students and young professionals while helping individuals and organizations navigate complex decisions. Her commitment to college consulting grew as she advised families through the admissions process, guided her own children through their college journeys, and mentored more than twenty students through her service on the Alumni Board of the University of Michigan Ford School of Public Policy.

Olga believes that college admissions is about much more than getting into a prestigious university—it's about helping students discover who they are, tell their authentic stories, and find colleges where they will thrive.

Yelena’s passion for educational consulting grew from her own educational journey after arriving in the United States as an exchange student in 1997. She went on to earn both her Bachelor’s degree in Economics and MBA from Northwestern University before building a distinguished career in entrepreneurship, venture capital, and higher education.

As a former Northwestern University application reader, Yelena gained firsthand insight into how admissions decisions are made and what distinguishes compelling applicants. She later served as an Adjunct Lecturer at Rice University while mentoring students, entrepreneurs, and young professionals as they pursued ambitious academic and professional goals.

Yelena believes that the college search should be viewed as the beginning of a student’s lifelong journey. She enjoys helping students connect their academic interests with meaningful majors, careers, and opportunities that will shape their future.